The farmers allege that sugar mills, with the alleged connivance of departmental officials, have subjected them to financial injustice through delayed dues and demands for illegal commissions. According to the protesters, repeated appeals for timely cane payments and fair treatment have gone unanswered, forcing them to take to the streets. The agitation has been marked by persistent sloganeering and vocal criticism of both mill managements and government authorities responsible for oversight of the sector.
Despite plummeting temperatures, the mood at the protest site has remained resolute. On recent nights, after sharing simple meals, farmers gathered for songs and spontaneous dance, briefly setting aside their hardships. The scenes reflected not celebration, but solidarity—an expression of unity among cultivators who say they have little left to lose. The gathering underscored how cultural expression has become a tool of endurance amid prolonged uncertainty and financial distress.
Protesters insist the sit-in will continue indefinitely until their demands are addressed. Their core grievances include immediate clearance of pending sugarcane payments and strict action against officials and mill representatives accused of harassment and corruption. Visible frustration with the administration has grown, with farmers openly questioning the effectiveness and intent of authorities tasked with protecting their interests.
So far, there has been no formal resolution or public assurance that satisfies the protesters. As the demonstration stretches on, the standoff highlights deeper structural tensions within the sugarcane economy, where delayed payments and alleged malpractice remain recurring flashpoints. The unfolding protest in Meerut not only reflects local discontent but also signals a broader challenge for policymakers grappling with farmer welfare, accountability, and trust in rural governance.
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