Bangladesh Migrants Employed in Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru Coffee Plantations, Alleges R. Ashok

Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok speaking in the Legislative Assembly. | Photo: By Arrangement

Bengaluru: Kodagu district figured prominently in a political storm in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly with the Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok alleging that migrants from Bangladesh were being employed in coffee plantations across Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Hassan, displacing local labour.

Speaking during the discussion on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address on Monday, Mr. Ashok claimed that plantation owners preferred migrant labourers who were allegedly paid around ₹300 a day, compared to the ₹1,000 demanded by local workers. He said the situation had serious social and economic implications for residents of plantation regions such as Kodagu.

The allegations were raised amid heated exchanges between the ruling Congress and the Opposition BJP over the State government’s decision to announce rehabilitation measures following the demolition of houses at Kogilu Layout in Bengaluru. The BJP accused the government of supporting illegal immigrants under the guise of rehabilitation, while denying housing to Kannadigas.

Responding to the charge, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that no Bangladeshi residing illegally in Karnataka would be allotted houses. Rejecting the BJP’s claim of “appeasement politics”, he said the rehabilitation was being carried out strictly in accordance with the law.

Mr. Ashok countered by alleging that the Congress government’s “vote-bank politics” posed a threat to national security and deprived eligible families of housing benefits. He pointed out that more than 37 lakh housing applications were pending with the Karnataka Housing Board, many of them from applicants who had already paid substantial advance amounts.

The BJP leader further claimed that while the Chief Minister initially defended the evictions at Kogilu Layout citing land earmarked for waste management by the Greater Bengaluru Authority, the decision was later reversed. According to Mr. Ashok, the reversal followed a phone call from K.C. Venugopal, AICC general secretary.

The issue sparked sharp exchanges in the House, highlighting deep political divisions over migration, housing policy and labour practices in Karnataka.

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