Villagers of Devagiri in Belagavi district staged a protest on Friday demanding that the Lingayat Rudrabhumi, the burial ground used by the Lingayat community, be retained. Revenue officials who arrived to conduct a land survey were forced to leave without carrying out the work.
Protesters claimed that certain individuals were attempting to usurp the land by asserting it was Patta land under private ownership, despite it being used as a community graveyard for generations.
Locals stated that the land—around 32 guntas, less than an acre—was donated over 200 years ago by landlord S.G. Patil for the graveyard. “Now, his descendants are attempting to reclaim it due to a spike in land prices,” said community leader Vishweshvaraiah Hiremath.
Tensions escalated briefly as villagers and those claiming the land got into a heated exchange.
Congress leader Malagouda Patil stepped in and assured villagers of his support in their cause.
The district land survey office had requested police protection for Triveni Ramdurg, the assigned surveyor. Police personnel were deployed at the site and at Honaga Cross. Following discussions, survey officers withdrew from the site and said a detailed report would be submitted.
A police van remains stationed in the village.
