Dingaleshwar swami joins protest of sugarcane farmers, questions silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi

As the blockade of National Highways by sugarcane growers entered the second day in various districts of north Karnataka on October 14, Fakira Dingaleshwara Swami, seer of Shirahatti Fakkireshwar mutt, has come out in support of the farmers. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his silence and address grievances of farmers.

Addressing press persons in Hubballi on October 14, the seer criticised the NDA government at the Centre for failing to address concerns of farmers. He demanded implementation of the recommendations of the M.S. Swaminathan Commission to ensure remunerative prices for agricultural produce.

He said a government that becomes a curse to farmers would not survive. “Farmers feed the nation and sustain religious institutions. They deserve justice, not empty promises,” he said, urging seers, writers, and artistes to raise their voice in support of the farming community.

Questioning Mr. Modi’s silence on the issue, the seer said, “Mr. Modi has been described as a model PM. And a model PM is duty-bound to speak on issues concerning farmers. Mr. Modi should not be like Dhritarashtra but should become ‘Dharmaraya’ to address the demands of farmers.

Questioning the disparity between the revision of prices of industrial raw materials and the prices paid to farmers, he cited quick decisions taken by the Union Government on oil price hike. “Oil companies are able to increase prices overnight, while farmers have little say in fixing the prices of their produce. The same principle of cost-based price revision should apply to agricultural commodities,” he said.

The seer questioned the discrepancies in sugarcane weighing and the treatment meted out to farmers. He said ‘fools’ sitting in air-conditioned offices were unaware of the difficulties faced by sugarcane growers, including the impact of variations in moisture content on the weight of their produce.

He criticised the alleged disgraceful treatment of protesting farmers in Delhi, and questioned why the Swaminathan Commission recommendations had not been implemented. The government should not use committees and reports as an excuse to delay justice to farmers, he said.

He urged the government to fulfil the demands raised by five crore farmers and said agricultural distress should not be turned into a political issue.

The seer appealed to the heads of all mutts to unite in support of farmers, pointing out that farming communities had played a significant role in sustaining religious institutions. He urged farmers not to lose heart or resort to suicide, and called upon society to stand by them in their struggle for justice.

In what appears to be a veiled reference to Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, he said those unable to address the problems of farmers should step down rather than continue in office. “If you have the guts, you should ensure that the demands of farmers are met. Otherwise, accept you are incapable and resign from the post,” he said.

He warned that leaders who ignored the farming community could face public opposition, and urged the government to act before the situation worsened.

Suspend guarantee schemes for a year

He urged the government of Karnataka to consider suspending the guarantee schemes for a year, and divert funds towards compensation to farmers affected by agricultural distress.

In another act to express solidarity with the protesting sugarcane growers, the seer vowed to discontinue taking sugar in his meals till the demands of farmers were met.

Expressing his support to the struggle of farmers, he said, “The protest is not confined to sugarcane growers but is aimed at challenging a system that continues to deny farmers a fair return for their labour.”

Subsequently, the seer visited Yerikoppa near Dharwad where the farmers have blocked the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway.