Sugarcane farmers suspend agitation, set new deadline

Sugarcane farmers from across the state who had launched Hubballi Chalk to press for their various demands temporarily suspended their week-long agitation on Monday evening (October 19, 2026) after a prolonged discussion in the presence of officials and farmers representatives at the protest site at Yarikoppa near Dharwad in Karnataka.

Also read | Hubballi Chalo padayatra by sugarcane farmers likely to temporarily halt today

Their decision to suspend agitation follows a post-midnight discussion with Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi, ex-Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, other legislators and officials in Hubballi, which extended beyond 3 a.m. on Monday (October 19).

The farmers have given the Union and State governments until November 26 to address their demands and warned of renewed protests, including a gherao of Mr. Joshi’s residence, from November 27 if their demands remain unfulfilled.

Farmer leaders held consultations with representatives from various districts on Monday (October 19) to decide whether to continue the padayatra or suspend the agitation temporarily.

Farmers marching from Haveri reached Yerikoppa on the outskirts of Hubballi around 2 p.m. on Monday (October 19), while another group from Belagavi arrived via Tegur. Farmer leaders held discussions with the district administrations and police officials of Haveri and Dharwad before announcing the temporary suspension of the protest.

Speaking at Yerikoppa Cross, Mr. Pujari said the Union Minister had assured them of a meeting in Hubballi and sought time to consider their demand concerning the minimum support price (MSP) for sugarcane. He urged the government to convene a meeting of sugar factory owners and farmer representatives in Belagavi within four to five days.

He also called for restrictions to prevent sugar from being transported out of factories until the issues were resolved, arguing that the movement of sugar without addressing farmers’ concerns would affect both farmers and the public.

Mr. Pujari said the farmers had agreed to give the government time until November 26 in view of assurances given by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Mr. Joshi. However, he warned that farmers would resume their agitation on November 27 and march to Mr. Joshi’s residence if the assurances were not honoured.

Meeting at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha

Shasikanth Guruji said the Chief Minister had assured the farmers that a meeting with sugar factory owners would be convened at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi. He insisted that farmer representatives should be allowed to participate in the meeting and called for their inclusion in the Union government’s committee on the issue.

Responding to Mr. Shivakumar’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking intervention in the sugarcane farmers’ issue, Mr. Guruji said it was the State government’s responsibility to take up the matter with the Centre. He urged the government to act on its assurances within the stipulated time.

The farmers maintained that discussions on their demands should be held at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, rather than at other locations.

Following the announcement, farmers who had participated in the week-long padayatra and highway blockade began returning to their respective villages on Monday evening. With the Dasara festival approaching, many travelled home in cars, goods vehicles and autorickshaws, while some took government buses.