Sugarcane farmers suspend Hubballi Chalo agitation, set November 26 deadline for governments

Sugarcane farmers from across Karnataka temporarily suspended their week-long agitation on Monday evening (October 19, 2026), after prolonged discussions with officials and farmer representatives at the protest site at Yerikoppa near Dharwad.

The decision came after a post-midnight meeting in Hubballi with Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi, former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, other legislators and officials. The talks went on past 3 a.m.

The farmers have now given the Union and State governments until November 26 to address their demands. They have warned that protests will resume from November 27, including a gherao of Mr. Joshi’s residence, if the assurances given to them are not honoured.

Farmers marching from Haveri reached Yerikoppa on the outskirts of Hubballi around 2 p.m. on Monday, while another group from Belagavi arrived via Tegur. Before announcing the suspension, farmer leaders held discussions with the district administrations and police officials of Haveri and Dharwad.

Speaking at Yerikoppa Cross, farmer leader 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.

Mr. Pujari 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.

He said the farmers had agreed to give the government time until November 26 in view of the 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.

Farmer leader 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 that 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 taken part 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.