Farmers Call for Karnataka Bandh on Saturday Over Sugarcane Prices

Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha state president Chunappa Pujeri on Friday called for a statewide bandh on Saturday, demanding that the government and sugar factories address the demands of sugarcane growers, including better prices for their produce.

Pujeri appealed to farmers, traders, advocates, transport operators, students and members of various organisations to participate in the bandh, irrespective of their political affiliations.

Speaking to reporters, Pujeri said the farmers had initially planned to gather in large numbers at the Hattargi toll plaza in Belagavi district and had expected Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to visit the protest site and announce financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per tonne of sugarcane from the state government, besides ensuring that sugar factories paid Rs 4,500 per tonne.

“We had decided to gather at one place and expected the Chief Minister and sugar factory owners to come forward with an announcement. We did not want to cause inconvenience to the public. But the Chief Minister and the district administration have imposed prohibitory orders,” he said.

Pujeri blamed the state government, the Centre and sugar factory owners for the problems faced by sugarcane growers. He accused them of failing to protect farmers' interests despite repeated appeals.

Pujeri also demanded the implementation of the recommendations of the MS Swaminathan Commission and called for greater financial support to farmers. He referred to the assistance being provided to sugarcane growers in Uttar Pradesh.

Making an appeal with folded hands, Pujeri urged people across the state to support the bandh.

“I request the people of Karnataka, with folded hands, to make tomorrow's bandh successful. Farmers, students, advocates, drivers, traders and members of all organisations should participate in their respective places. This is a struggle for farmers, and everyone should join hands with us,” he said.

Pujeri said the farmers were also prepared to launch a jail bharo agitation if their demands were not addressed.

“We are ready to go to jail. Even if the government wants to keep us in prison permanently, let it do so,” he said.

Drawing a comparison with Mahatma Gandhi's struggle, Pujeri said the farmers would continue their agitation until their demands were met.

He warned that the movement could intensify further if the Centre, state government and sugar factory owners failed to respond positively.