Belagavi Sees Massive Sugarcane Farmers’ Protest.

Sugarcane farmers have been protesting in Gurlapur, Belagavi district, for the past nine days, demanding ₹3,500 per tonne along with cutting and transport charges.

Earlier, the government had offered Rs 3,200 per tonne, which farmers rejected, insisting on Rs 3,500 per tonne in line with rates in neighbouring Maharashtra.

Following the second round of discussions involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, sugar mill owners, and farmer representatives, the protest was officially called off. The government announced a revised rate of ₹3,300 per tonne for sugarcane, with ₹3,250 to be paid by factories and a ₹50 subsidy from the state. The decision sparked celebrations at protest venues, where farmers expressed their happiness by bursting crackers, distributing sweets, and dancing in joy.

Initially, the government proposed a rate of ₹3,200 per tonne, which was turned down by farmers who demanded ₹3,500 per tonne—the price being paid in neighboring Maharashtra. Despite several visits from ministers H.K. Patil and Shivanand Patil to negotiate, the farmers stood firm, alleging that the government had failed to address their concerns.

Tension rose on Friday afternoon when the protest turned violent near the Hattargi Toll Naka in Hukkeri taluk. A peaceful demonstration escalated into chaos after police allegedly manhandled a protesting driver while attempting to remove his vehicle. Enraged farmers retaliated by pelting stones, resulting in damage to a police van and a goods vehicle. Six police personnel reportedly sustained injuries during the clash.

Superintendent of Police Dr. Bheemashankar Guled, who rushed to the spot, said, “The stone-throwing happened because of a misunderstanding while clearing the road. Six officers were injured, but the police did not resort to a lathi charge. We appeal to the farmers to remain calm and maintain peace.” Over 50 CCTV cameras have been set up at the toll gate to trace those involved in the clashes, he said.

In Chikodi town, a complete bandh was observed in support of the farmers’ demand. The standoff, now in its second week, has paralyzed parts of Belagavi, Bagalkot, and Vijayapura districts, prompting pro-Kannada organizations to call for a day-long bandh in solidarity with the farmers. Although protesters deferred a planned highway blockade, they have issued a two-day ultimatum to the government to meet their demands.

The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS), the state’s largest farmers’ federation, views the crisis as the result of deep structural injustice: those who grow the crop have little control over how it is priced or sold. They argue that sugarcane farmers bear all the risks, while politically connected mill owners and industrial houses capture most of the profits.

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