After nearly seven weeks of continuous protest, the Udupi District Farmers’ Association officially ended its ‘Anndathara Ahorathri Satyagraha’ on April 11, following the state government’s decision to prosecute all 13 accused in the Brahmavar Sugar Factory corruption case.
Led by Association President K. Pratapchandra Shetty, the 49-day sit-in demanded accountability for the alleged scam involving scrap deals and mismanagement. The protest ended after Deputy Commissioner Dr. K Vidya Kumari and Superintendent of Police Dr. Arun K confirmed the state’s acceptance of the farmers’ demands during a visit to the protest site on April 9.
Among the accused are senior cooperative department officials, including Suprasad Shetty Baikady, Praveen B Naik, and Lakshminarayan. The government has also appointed Shivaprasad Alva as the special public prosecutor for the case.
During a thanksgiving event held on April 11, Shetty expressed concern over delayed justice, saying, “This is not a celebration. It took eight months for action. Corruption cases must be resolved within three months. People’s representatives must be accountable.”
Other speakers, including Rajaram Thallur, emphasized the importance of truthful leadership and remembered Gandhian ideals, contrasting them with current political realities.
The event was attended by key district leaders such as Sowmya Reddy, Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, Manjunath Bhandary, and Veronica Cornelio, among others. The protest, supported by multiple local groups, highlighted unity in the fight for justice and transparency.
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