Sugar cane growers have suspended their agitation, set a new date

Sugarcane farmers take out mock funeral procession of Union Minister Pralhad Joshi during Hubballi Chalo padayatra in Belagavi. File | Photo credit: PK Badiger

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

Also Read Hubballi Chalo padayatra of sugarcane farmers likely to stop temporarily today

Their decision to suspend the agitation follows a midnight discussion with Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi, former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, other legislators and officials in Hubballi, which went on past 3:00 am on Monday (October 19).

The farmers gave the Union and state governments till November 26 to address their demands and warned of renewed protests, including the gherao residence of Mr. Joshi, from November 27 if their demands remain unmet.

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

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

Speaking at Jerichoppa Cross, Mr. Pujari said the Union Minister had assured them of the meeting at Hubballi and asked for time to consider their demand on Minimum Support Price (MSP) for sugarcane. He urged the government to convene a meeting of sugar mill owners and farmers’ representatives in Belagavi within four to five days.

He also called for restrictions to prevent sugar from being shipped from factories until the problems were resolved, arguing that moving sugar without addressing farmers’ concerns would affect both farmers and the public.

Mr Pujari said the farmers had agreed to give the government time till November 26 in view of the assurance given by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Mr Joshi. He, however, warned that the farmers would resume their agitation on November 27 and march to Mr. Joshi’s residence if the assurances were not met.

Meeting at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha

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

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

The farmers argued that discussions on their demands should be held at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha rather than other places.

Following the announcement, farmers who had been participating in a week-long padayatra and highway blockade started returning to their villages on Monday evening. With the Dasara festival approaching, many traveled home in cars, trucks and autorickshaws, while some took government buses.

Published – 19 Oct 2026 18:22 IST