Explainer: Why Karnataka’s Sugarcane Farmers Are Protesting
The protest by sugarcane farmers in north Karnataka demanding higher prices for their crop entered its ninth day on Friday, November 7. Tensions escalated on Wednesday evening when some protesters allegedly threw slippers at State Sugar Minister Shivanand Patil’s car in Belagavi.
Patil had visited the protest site at Gurlapur Cross, Mudalagi taluk, where farmers have been demonstrating for over a week. As he was leaving, a section of the crowd reportedly threw slippers at his vehicle.
Minister’s Response
“I am here to make an appeal not to escalate the situation. The power to fix sugarcane prices does not lie with the state government, it is under the jurisdiction of the Union government.”
Patil explained that the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane is set by the Union government and urged it to intervene. He added:
“The Union Minister for Sugar, who is also from our state, has not yet taken any initiative. The authority and responsibility to resolve this issue rests with the Union government.”
Spread of Protests
The protest began in Belagavi and has now extended to other northern districts including Bagalkote, Vijayapura, and Haveri.
Summary
The ongoing protests reflect farmers’ demands for better sugarcane prices, with responsibility for price decisions residing at the Union government level rather than the state.