Farmers Burn Effigies of CM, Agriculture Minister Over ‘Inadequate’ Sugarcane Price Hike; Congress Leader Mobilises Support for Delhi Rally

Chadhuni faction protests in Radaur, warns of statewide agitation; Umesh Kamboj appeals to villagers to join the November 1 ‘Vote Bachao–Desh Bachao’ rally

Farmers Stage Protest in Radaur Over Sugarcane Price

Farmers affiliated with the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), Chadhuni faction, staged a protest in Radaur on Friday against the state government’s decision to increase the sugarcane price by only Rs 15 per quintal. Demonstrators expressed dissatisfaction with the increase and burnt effigies of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana near the minister’s residence. Police personnel were deployed in the area during the demonstration.

BKU district president Sanju Gundiyana said farmers had been demanding a sugarcane price of Rs 600 per quintal. He termed the Rs 15 increase inadequate and argued that it did not address the concerns of sugarcane growers. Referring to the rising price of sugar, he said sugar was reportedly being sold at around Rs 70 per kilogram, while farmers were not receiving a corresponding benefit for their produce.

Gundiyana warned that if the government did not reconsider its decision, the farmers’ organisation could intensify its agitation across the state. He spoke of the possibility of convening a statewide mahapanchayat and taking further steps, including stopping the functioning of sugar mills and uprooting sugarcane crops. He also said the organisation would oppose the entry of BJP leaders and ministers into villages if farmers’ demands continued to be ignored.

Several farmers and union members participated in the protest, including Sandeep Topra, Mandeep Road Chhapar, Vikrant, Gurveer Singh, Joginder Singh, Krishan Pal, Balwinder, Pappal Gundiyana, Suresh Pal Bhagumajra, Dilawar Singh, Karnail Singh, Shubham, Vikas, Nirmal Kalesra and Monu Dhanupura. The protesters reiterated that the announced increase did not meet their expectations and called upon the government to address the issue.

Umesh Kamboj Seeks Support for November 1 Delhi Rally

In a separate political outreach programme, Congress leader Umesh Kamboj Bubka visited villages and appealed to residents and party workers to participate in the ‘Vote Bachao–Desh Bachao’ rally scheduled to be held at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on November 1. The rally is being organised under the leadership of the Congress as part of the INDIA alliance’s campaign.

During his meetings, Kamboj urged villagers to reach Delhi in large numbers, saying the rally was intended to raise issues concerning the protection of democracy and citizens’ voting rights. He asked party workers and supporters to treat participation in the programme as an important responsibility and to mobilise people from their respective villages.

Kamboj also referred to concerns surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He said the campaign sought to draw attention to questions related to the electoral process and the need to safeguard the voting rights of citizens. He appealed to people to join the November 1 gathering and make their voices heard through democratic participation.

The Congress leader expressed confidence that a significant number of people from the region would attend the rally. He said village-level outreach was being undertaken to inform residents about the programme and encourage workers and supporters to travel to Delhi. His appeal focused on ensuring broad participation from the area.

Farmers’ Concerns and Political Mobilisation in Focus

The two developments reflect separate strands of public activity in the region: farmers’ opposition to the latest sugarcane price increase and the Congress campaign seeking participation in a rally on electoral rights. While the BKU protest centred on the price growers expect for their crop and the possibility of further agitation, the Congress outreach focused on mobilising residents for the Delhi programme.