Belagavi (Karnataka), Nov 4 (NationPress) Farmers in Belagavi, Bagalkot, Haveri, and several other regions in Karnataka have escalated their protests on Tuesday, demanding that the state government establish a just price for sugarcane. The agitation, which has received backing from the BJP, college students, and various farmers’ associations, has resulted in highway blockades and significant gatherings throughout North Karnataka.

The protesters are calling for immediate government action and are insisting on the establishment of a minimum support price for sugarcane.

This protest, which has been ongoing for six days, is intensifying daily. Farmers are urging the government to adopt the pricing model used in Maharashtra and set the sugarcane price at Rs 3,500 per quintal.

Numerous schools and colleges in the Belagavi district have remained closed.

Demonstrators accused the government of neglect and urged the Chief Minister to compel sugar factory owners to announce the price without delay. They warned that if the government continued to favor sugar mill owners, the protests could escalate further.

In Gokak, farmers obstructed highways linking Dharwad–Athani and Belagavi–Gokak. Farmers also organized a complete bandh in Hukkeri town, blocking roads using JCBs and tractors. College students have joined the protests, showing their full support for the farmers.

BJP state President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra participated in the protests alongside farmers at Gurlapura village in Mudalgi taluk of Belagavi district. “For the past six days, farmers and sugarcane growers have been demonstrating. The state government should respond positively to their legitimate demands. We offer our full support to the farmers and will stand firmly beside them. Unfortunately, the government has demonstrated no sensitivity to their plight,” he remarked.

“Despite farmers protesting for six days, ministers from this region, including the Agriculture Minister, have shown no concern. As the opposition party, it is our responsibility to support the farmers. Sadly, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah appears indifferent to their suffering,” he criticized.

“Farmers’ associations have weakened in many areas. If their voices aren’t reaching Bengaluru, it is our duty to ensure they do. Otherwise, we will be failing in our responsibility,” Vijayendra added.

He further stated that the state government should have at least deployed district in-charge ministers to assess the situation. “They should have personally assured the farmers. CM Siddaramaiah arrived by helicopter, conducted a meeting, and departed. Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar is preoccupied with the tunnel road project, while Siddaramaiah is primarily in Bengaluru and Mysuru,” he charged.

Amid the farmers’ crisis, Vijayendra also alleged that there is a power struggle for the Chief Minister’s position within the ruling Congress.

The JD(S) remarked on X: “The government has yielded to the demands of sugar factory owners. Sugarcane farmers, already struggling due to floods, are asking for a price of Rs 3,500 per tonne. However, the anti-farmer state government, which has capitulated to the sugar lobby, has failed to respond. Farmers across Belagavi, Bagalkot, Haveri, and other districts are conducting overnight protests. This indifferent government must meet the farmers’ demands.”

Home Minister G. Parameshwara, addressing the situation, stated, “I have instructed the Minister for Sugar, Shivanand Patil, to engage in discussions and determine the sugarcane price to resolve the farmers’ issues. Otherwise, it will become challenging for the police to manage the situation. I spoke to him about it on Monday.”

“Ministers from the region, including Satish Jarkiholi and Laxmi Hebbalkar, have assured that they will communicate with sugar factory representatives to find a solution. On Monday, a farmer attempted suicide by consuming poison but was fortunately saved by authorities. Such incidents must not recur. If these situations increase, it will present a serious challenge for the police. In this context, I have communicated with the relevant leaders,” he added.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashoka, in a post on X, remarked, “Despite sugarcane farmers in Belagavi and Bagalkot blocking highways and protesting for the past 5–6 days, the anti-farmer Congress government in Karnataka has remained unresponsive, pushing farmers into despair that some have resorted to consuming poison.”

“Mr. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, where should these farmers turn to express their pain — to you or to your Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar?” Ashoka questioned.

“Is your government alive or dead? Where are your so-called strong leaders in Belagavi — the self-proclaimed heirs of AHINDA politics? Are they preoccupied with arranging funds for the Bihar elections, engaged in some bank-related election, or have they gone to Delhi to meet the high command?” he queried.

“Your ineffective Congress government will not escape the wrath of the farmers — the true providers of sustenance for this land,” Ashoka concluded.