Belagavi: Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil has invited representatives of sugarcane farmers, who are demanding a fixed price of Rs. 3,500 per tonne, for a meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru.
However, the protesting farmers have declined to meet the Chief Minister in the state capital, saying they would end their agitation only if the government announces a higher price by Thursday evening.
The farmers’ protest at Gurlapur Cross in Belagavi entered its seventh day, spreading to several districts across north Karnataka, including Bagalkote and Haveri. Minister Patil met the farmers’ representatives on behalf of the government, urging them to hold talks with the Chief Minister.
The ongoing agitation has garnered support from various farmers’ associations, student groups, opposition parties, and local organisations. Protesters have blocked major routes in the Belagavi region and burned tyres and effigies to press their demands.
After meeting the farmers, Minister Patil said he was willing to arrange a discussion with the Chief Minister on Thursday evening and assured that a final decision would be made by Friday afternoon. “There will be a meeting with sugar factories on the morning of November 7, followed by discussions with officials. Based on the feedback, by 2 p.m. on November 7, the government will announce its decision, which will largely be in favour of the farmers,” he said, inviting a delegation to participate in the talks.
Farmer representative Shashikant Guruji reiterated that the protest would continue until the state government announces a higher price. He requested the Deputy Commissioner to hold another round of talks to finalise the rate, stating, “We will end our protest only after the DC announces a revised price. Going to Bengaluru now would send the wrong message to our fellow farmers.”
He also criticised district in-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi and Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar—both of whom hail from Belagavi and own sugar factories—for not meeting the protesting farmers.
Another farmer leader, Chunappa Pujari, urged the government to ensure that if sugar factories fail to pay ₹3,500 per tonne, the state should make up the difference.
The agitation drew political support on Tuesday when Karnataka BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra joined the protesting farmers in Belagavi and participated in the overnight sit-in. Farmer leaders marked Vijayendra’s birthday, which falls on Wednesday, at the protest site.
Former Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai also urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to intervene immediately and ensure that farmers receive ₹3,500 per tonne as demanded. He suggested that sugar factories pay ₹3,300 per tonne, with the state government contributing ₹200 per tonne to bridge the gap.
Bommai further said that since several ministers have business interests in the sugar industry, the Chief Minister must personally step in and resolve the crisis.
