Farmers' Fury Ignites in Bagalkot
A protest by sugarcane farmers in Karnataka's Bagalkot district took a violent turn on Thursday evening, resulting in the torching of more than 15 sugarcane-laden trolleys. The incident occurred at the caneyard of the Godavari Biorefineries Limited sugar factory in Mudhol.
Rumors Spark Violence Over Unresolved Price Dispute
The farmers, who had earlier held a rally in the town demanding a Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of Rs 3,500 per tonne, became enraged by rumors that the sugar factory had begun crushing operations. This was seen as a major provocation, as the core dispute over the sugarcane price remained unresolved. Videos from the scene showed a chaotic sight with over 50 trolleys parked in the yard, of which approximately a third were set ablaze.
The factory management responded swiftly by deploying its fire extinguishers. Their immediate action, combined with the efforts of police and fire and emergency services who rushed to the spot, helped control the blaze and prevent it from spreading further.
Political Fallout and the Larger FRP Battle
This violent outburst in Bagalkot stands in contrast to the situation in the neighboring Belagavi district. A similar protest there was called off last Friday after the government announced an additional Rs 100 per tonne (split equally between the government and factory owners), raising the purchase price from Rs 3,200 to Rs 3,300 per tonne. However, farmers in Bagalkot and Haveri districts have continued their agitation, holding firm to their demand for Rs 3,500 per tonne.
Farmer leader Mutthappa Komara distanced his organization from the act of vandalism, blaming miscreants for the fire. He asserted that damaging property was not their policy and accused the government of testing the patience of farmers with unilateral decisions.
The political blame game has also intensified. Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging the government to compensate farmers for their losses and address the issue seriously. In response, CM Siddaramaiah has pointed fingers at the Centre, stating that the FRP is fixed by the central government. He highlighted that the recovery rate for sugarcane was increased from 9.5% in 2017-18 to 10.25% this fiscal, and he has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a solution to ensure farmers receive a net Rs 3,500 per tonne, excluding harvesting and transportation costs.
The core of the issue lies in the FRP structure. While the Centre fixed the FRP at Rs 3,550 per tonne for a 10.25% sugar recovery rate, the amount farmers actually receive is Rs 500-600 less per tonne because sugar factories deduct harvesting and transportation costs.
