"People Will Not Stay Silent": Jury Slams Judicial Apathy and Systemic Failures in PTCL Act Implementation at Bangalore Public Hearing

BANGALORE: A state-level public hearing held at Gandhi Bhavan on June 6 exposed severe structural bottlenecks and judicial apathy hindering the enforcement of the PTCL Act, 1978. The event highlighted how poor administrative implementation and adverse court rulings are actively depriving Dalit and Adivasi communities of their fundamental land rights.

The hearing was anchored by a comprehensive study spanning seven Karnataka districts: Bangalore Urban and Rural, Kolar, Tumkur, Hosadurga, Challakere, Ramnagar, and Davangere. Aggrieved community members, legal experts, and civil society organizations gathered to present depositions and case files before a distinguished jury panel.

The event was jointly organized by the All India Lawyers Association for Justice (AILAJ), Manthan Law, Alternative Law Forum (ALF), PTCL Kaayde Bhoomi Vanchitara Horata Samiti, and Independent Progressive Researchers. The jury comprised former Supreme Court Justice V Gopala Gowda, retired IAS officers SM Jaamdar and D. Thangaraj, veteran activist Jyothi Raj, and legal expert HL Venkatesh.

Former Supreme Court Judge Justice V Gopala Gowda delivered a stern warning to the judiciary, stating that citizens will not remain silent if courts continue passing judgments contrary to the Act's welfare intent. He specifically criticized the Nekkanti judgment for rejecting delayed applications, noting it violated the previous three-bench Supreme Court ruling in the Manchegowda case and did a massive disservice to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Emphasizing that economic freedom is crucial to the constitutional right to life, Justice Gowda cited Articles 39(b) and 46 to underline the State's duty to distribute resources equitably. He demanded the immediate dismissal of revenue officers acting against the public interest and urged elected representatives to urgently address the crisis in the State Assembly.

Former IAS officer D. Thangaraj highlighted a grim reality on the ground, noting that even when beneficiaries secure favorable orders from Assistant and Deputy Commissioners, they fail to gain physical possession of their land due to uncooperative revenue and police officials. He stressed the need for strict officer accountability and regular training programs for enforcing authorities.

Fellow retired IAS officer Dr. SM Jaamdaar echoed these concerns, stating that poor implementation of the Act reflects deeply entrenched social inequalities. To shake up the system and force it to act in favor of the marginalized, he called for a widespread people's movement.

Bhooshakti Kendra President Jyothi Raj described land as a vital source of cultural identity and dignity for Dalits. She urged communities to actively participate in grievance meetings and advocated for the allocation of five acres of land to women to ensure their economic and social security.

PTCL legal expert HL Venkatesh warned that the public is losing patience with the legal system. He criticized recent rulings, such as the Seethamma judgment, which prevent those cheated into sale agreements from appealing under the PTCL Act, arguing that such interpretations completely strip the legislation of its purpose.

Advocate Clifton D' Rozario, General Secretary of AILAJ, pointed out that PTCL claims are problematically treated as mere civil litigations rather than matters of social justice. He stressed that judicial interpretations regarding a "reasonable time" for filing claims have thoroughly defanged the 1978 welfare legislation. Community leaders, including Basavaraj Kouthal, Manjunath, and Venkatesh, further emphasized that land alienation directly perpetuates systemic marginalization.

Despite being invited, no state government representatives attended the hearing. Concluding the session, the jury announced plans to issue an interim verdict pressing the state government to uphold social justice principles.

Aggrieved families reiterated that their fight for land is fundamentally a struggle for dignity and self-respect. Organizers confirmed that a detailed report and the jury's final verdict will soon be submitted to the Chief Minister and Revenue Minister of Karnataka to demand immediate legislative and administrative intervention.