Karnataka sugarcane protests disrupted highways, local roads and business activity across Belagavi, Haveri, Vijayapura, Dharwad and Gadag on Saturday, as farmers demanded higher payments for their crop and warned of intensified agitation if their demands are not addressed.
The protests were most widespread in Belagavi district, where farmers blocked roads at Hirebagewadi, Hattargi, Bavana Saundatti, Yadrav and Raibag. Tyres were set on fire at some locations, affecting vehicle movement and prompting the deployment of police personnel at the Belagavi Central Bus Stand and other major protest sites.
Farmers had called for a Karnataka bandh, but the action was largely limited to demonstrations, road blockades and dharnas, according to the report. In Kagwad taluk, protesters blocked the road connecting Kagwad with Miraj in Maharashtra, disrupting movement between the two states. Shops and business establishments remained closed in several locations.
The farmers are seeking a payment of Rs 5,500 per tonne of sugarcane, an increase in the minimum support price of sugar to Rs 60 per kg and implementation of the recommendations of the MS Swaminathan Commission. Belagavi is one of Karnataka’s major sugarcane-growing regions, making the dispute significant for both farm incomes and the movement of agricultural produce through the district.
In Haveri, the bandh received a partial response, while protests led to tense scenes at several locations. Farmers reportedly went around the town asking traders to shut their establishments. An argument broke out at the bus stand between protesters and a woman selling bananas, who questioned why small businesses dependent on daily earnings should bear the impact of the agitation.
The situation became tense at the rural bus stand after protesters allegedly removed bakery products and packets of sunflower seeds from a shop and threw them onto the road. Police intervened to prevent further trouble. Essential services, including hospitals, pharmacies, milk supplies and ambulances, remained unaffected.
Vijayapura district also saw highway and road blockades. At Sangapur village in Babaleshwar taluk, protesters surrounded Minister MB Patil and raised their demands. Muddebihal town witnessed a shutdown, tyre-burning and demonstrations. In Dharwad, farmers assembled at Jubilee Circle, while in Gadag, members of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene briefly blocked the road at Mulgund Naka.
The disruptions illustrate how disputes over agricultural prices can quickly extend beyond farms into the wider transport and local-commerce network. Road blockades affected commuters, traders and inter-district movement, while the reported closure of shops brought daily earnings for informal and small businesses into direct conflict with the protest strategy.
Farmers said the agitation would be intensified if the Centre and the Karnataka government failed to respond to their demands. Police remained deployed at key locations to prevent further incidents, while essential services continued to operate.
