Seer asks PM why different benchmarks for oil companies, farmers

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

Addressing reporters in Hubballi on October 14, the seer criticized the NDA government at the Center for not addressing farmers’ concerns. He demanded implementation of MS Swaminathan Commission recommendations to ensure remunerative prices for agricultural produce.

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

Questioning Mr. Modi’s silence on the matter, the seer said, “Mr. Modi has been described as a model prime minister. And a model prime minister is bound to speak on farmers’ issues. Mr. Modi should not be like Dhritarashtra but should become a ‘Dharmaraya’ to address farmers’ demands.”

“Oil companies are able to raise prices overnight while farmers have little say in pricing their produce”Fakir Dingaleshwara SwamiMutt Shirahatti Fakkireshwar

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

The soothsayer questioned irregularities in the weighing of sugarcane and the treatment of farmers. He said the “fools” sitting in air-conditioned offices were unaware of the difficulties faced by sugarcane growers, including the impact of fluctuations in humidity on the weight of their produce.

He criticized the alleged disgraceful treatment of protesting farmers in Delhi and questioned why the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission were not implemented. He said the government should not use committees and reports as an excuse to delay justice to farmers.

Urging the government to meet the demands raised by five million farmers, he said the agricultural woes should not turn into a political issue.

The seer appealed to the heads of all the mutts to unite in support of the farmers and pointed out that farming communities played a significant role in maintaining religious institutions. He urged the farmers not to lose heart and resort to suicide and appealed to the society to stand by them in their fight for justice.

In what appears to be a veiled reference to Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, he said that those who are unable to solve farmers’ problems should resign rather than continue in office. “If you have guts, you should ensure that farmers’ demands are met. Otherwise, accept that you are incompetent and resign from office,” he said.

He warned that leaders who ignore the farming community may face public backlash and urged the government to act before the situation worsens.

Suspend warranty systems for a year

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

In another act of solidarity with the protesting sugarcane farmers, the seer promised to stop taking sugar in his meals until the farmers’ demands were met.

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

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

Published – 14 Oct 2026 14:39 IST