Hosapete (Vijayanagara): A large farmers’ protest march, advocating for improved agricultural conditions, was launched on Wednesday by retired Justice N Santosh Hegde. He emphasized the importance of building a sugar factory near the city, highlighting the significant number of sugarcane farmers in the area, reports The Times of India.
The march, organized by the All Karnataka State Kisan Jagruti Sangha, began at the Virupakshwara Temple in Hampi and proceeded towards Hosapete. Justice Hegde voiced his full support for the farmers’ demands, which included the establishment of a sugar factory and the allocation of land to unauthorized cultivators.
Religious leaders, including Mallikarjuna Swamiji of Mariyammanahalli and Oppatteswara Niranjan Swamiji of Garaga Nagalapura, joined the march, along with representatives from organizations like the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike.
Despite temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius, numerous farmers participated, walking through Hampi, Kamalapura, Kaddirampura Cross, Galemmagudi, Malapanagudi, Kondanayakanahalli, and Ananthashayanagudi.
The procession arrived in the city around 3 pm. During the march, SA Khadri, vice-president of the Akhila Karnataka State Kisan Jagruti Sangh, collapsed at Puneeth Rajkumar Circle after walking 18 kilometers, suffering from sunstroke. He was immediately taken to a hospital. Following the march, a farmers’ conference was held at Ambedkar Circle.
