People usually take sweets and fruits to visit their relatives in jail, but on Monday (February 17), a different scene unfolded outside the Sogane Central Jail in Shivamogga, Karnataka. A farmer from Chikkamagaluru, in an attempt to mock a KAS officer imprisoned on bribery charges, presented him with bread, bananas, and mosquito repellent incense sticks.
National Highway Special Land Acquisition Officer Siddalingareddy was recently arrested red-handed by the Lokayukta while accepting a bribe. He is currently in jail. Vishukumar, a sandalwood farmer from Chikkamagaluru, was deeply hurt by the officer’s corrupt conduct and his callous treatment of farmers. To express his anger, he chose a completely new and sarcastic method of protest.
Vishukumar reached the jail gate carrying the sandalwood paduka used by environmentalist Thimmakka on his head. He launched a scathing attack on the system while pretending to pray for the officer’s good health. Vishukumar brought with him Mysore Sandal soap, mosquito repellent, bread, and bananas for bathing.
“My precious tree was priced at just 420 rupees”
Vishukumar’s pain spilled out while speaking to the media. He said, “This officer has stifled farmers in the name of saving the government money. He fixed the compensation for my precious sandalwood tree at just 420 rupees. This officer, who has wronged the farmers, is himself in jail for bribery.”
He sarcastically said that perhaps this officer was saving money for the government’s Sixth Guarantee Scheme. He quipped, “May God keep him healthy so that he can save even more money for the government.”
A topic of discussion on social media
People often burst firecrackers when corrupt officials are arrested, but this new method of auctioning one’s honor by going to jail is rapidly going viral on social media. The public is praising this courageous step of farmer Vishukumar and calling it a big slap on the face of the corrupt system.
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