Seer joins north Karnataka sugarcane protest, criticises Prime Minister over silence

Protesting sugarcane growers blockading the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway have entered their second day in north Karnataka districts. Fakira Dingaleshwara Swami, the seer of Shirahatti Fakkireshwar mutt, joined the agitation to support the farmers.

Demands

The seer urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his silence and address the grievances of farmers. He demanded the implementation of the M.S. Swaminathan Commission recommendations to ensure fair prices for agricultural goods. He criticised the Centre for failing to address farming concerns and questioned the disparity between quick price revisions for oil and the lack of fair pricing for crops. He also pointed out issues with sugarcane weighing and variations in moisture content.

Warnings

Addressing press persons in Hubballi, the seer warned that leaders who ignore the farming community could face public opposition. In a veiled reference to Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, he stated that those unable to solve farmers' problems should resign. He also suggested that the Karnataka government should consider pausing guarantee schemes for a year to divert funds towards compensation for agricultural distress. To show his solidarity, he vowed to stop taking sugar in his meals until the demands of farmers are met.

Context

Sugarcane growers in India often protest for higher crop prices and a revision of the minimum selling price of sugar to cover their production costs. Religious mutts and seers in Karnataka frequently engage in social and political issues concerning the local farming community.