Congress stages protest in Mandya over MySugar factory, farm laws

Urging the government to resume the MySugar (Mysore Sugar) factory immediately, to check the rise in prices of essential commodities and to drop the amendments to farm laws, members of Congress youth wing staged a protest, by taking out a bullock cart and tractor tally in Mandya on Friday.

More than 100 bullock carts, 45 tractors and hundreds of motorbikes were part of the procession, which started at MySugar factory, culminated at the deputy commissioner's office, via Sanjay Circle. They raised slogans against the state and the Union governments. Former minister N Cheluvarayaswamy rode a bullock cart.

The protestors explained that the closure of MySugar factory has affected hundreds of farmers. They opposed the government's move to lease the factory for 40 years to a private player and demanded the government to take steps to run the factory.

Condemning the new farm laws of the governments, they claimed that it would sound the death knell for the farmers. Even though the farmers have been staging a protest for the last 110 days in Delhi, the government has not considered their demands and is trying to favour corporate companies, they alleged.

Though the price of crude oil has come down, the government has not taken any measure to slash fuel prices in India. The rising price of cooking oils, pulses and vegetables is causing hardships for common man, they said.

Former MP G Madegowda flagged off the rally. Former minister P M Narendraswamy and C D Gangadhar were among the participants.