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Belagavi: Farmers in Karnataka’s Belagavi, Bagalkot, Haveri and several other districts intensified their protests on Tuesday, demanding that the state government fix a fair price for sugarcane. The agitation, supported by the BJP, college students and various farmer unions, led to the blocking of highways across northern Karnataka and the gathering of a large number of people.
The protesters demanded immediate intervention of the government and urged it to fix the minimum support price for sugarcane.
The movement that has been going on for six days is becoming more violent every day. Farmers are demanding that the government adopt the Maharashtra model of pricing and fix the price of sugarcane at Rs 3,500 per quintal.
Many schools and colleges remained closed in Belagavi district.
The protesters accused the government of being unresponsive and urged the Chief Minister to warn sugar mill owners to declare the price immediately. He warned that if the government continues to favor the sugar mill owners, the agitation will take a more serious form.
In Gokak, farmers blocked the highways connecting Dharwad-Athani and Belagavi-Gokak. Farmers also imposed a complete bandh in Hukkeri town and blocked the roads with JCBs and tractors. College students also joined the movement, giving their full support to the farmers.
BJP state president and MLA BY Vijayendra participated in the protest with farmers at Gurlapura village in Mudalagi taluk of Belagavi district. He said, “Farmers and sugarcane growers have been agitating for the last six days. The state government should respond positively to their just demands. We extend our full support to the farmers and will stand firmly with them. Unfortunately, the government has not shown any sensitivity towards their plight.”
He criticized, saying, “Despite farmers protesting on the streets for six days, ministers from the region, including the Agriculture Minister, have shown no concern. As an opposition party, it is our duty to stand with the farmers. Sadly, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has become blind to their plight.”
Vijayendra said, “Farmer organizations have become weak and have lost their influence in many places. If the voice of farmers is not reaching Bengaluru, then it becomes our responsibility to ensure that. Otherwise, we will fail in our duty.”
He further said that the state government should have at least sent district in-charge ministers to take stock of the situation. “He should have personally given assurance to the farmers. CM Siddaramaiah came by helicopter, held a meeting and left. Deputy CM DK Shivakumar is busy with the tunnel road project, while Siddaramaiah is confined to Bengaluru and Mysuru,” he alleged.
Amid the farmers’ crisis, Vijayendra also alleged that there is an internal power struggle for the chief minister’s post within the ruling Congress.
JD (S) wrote on Should.”
Reacting to the situation, Home Minister G Parameshwara said, “I have asked Sugar Minister Shivanand Patil to discuss and fix the sugarcane price to resolve the farmers’ issues. Otherwise, it will become difficult for the police to handle the situation. I discussed the matter with him on Monday.”
“Ministers from the sector, including Satish Jarkiholi and Lakshmi Hebbalkar, have assured that they will talk to representatives of sugar factories and find a solution. On Monday, one of the farmers attempted suicide by consuming poison, but was fortunately saved by the authorities. Such incidents should not be repeated. If these cases increase, it will become a serious challenge for the police. In this background, I have spoken to the leaders concerned,” he said.
Leader of opposition in the assembly R. Ashok said in a post on
“Mr Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, where should these farmers go to express their pain – to you or to your Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar?” Ashok asked a question.
“Is your government alive or dead? Where are your so-called strong leaders in Belagavi – the self-proclaimed heirs of Ahinda politics? Are they busy arranging funds for Bihar elections, engaged in some bank-related election, or have they gone to Delhi to meet the high command?” he asked.
Ashok said, “Your useless Congress government will not be able to escape the curse of the farmers, the true farmers of this land.”
–IANS