The farmers’ movement against the proposed ethanol factory in Rathikheda village of Tibbi tehsil in Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh district shows no signs of slowing down. At a farmers’ mahapanchayat held yesterday at the paddy market in Sangaria, farmers stated unequivocally that the agitation will continue until the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the government and the company for the ethanol factory is formally cancelled and all cases registered against farmers during the protest are withdrawn. By announcing the next farmers’ panchayat on February 11, 2025, in Talwara Jheel village of Tibbi tehsil, the farmers made it clear that they view this struggle not as short-term pressure tactics but as a long-term fight.
The mahapanchayat held at Sangaria’s new paddy market saw participation from farmers from Hanumangarh and Sri Ganganagar districts, as well as from Punjab and Haryana. Farmer leaders from Punjab shared their experiences, stating that ethanol factories are initially projected as symbols of development and employment, but within a few years, farmers are forced to bear the consequences in the form of water scarcity, pollution, and declining soil quality.
The mahapanchayat began with tributes to farmers who were martyred in the farmers’ movement of January 7, 1970. A symbolic farmers’ martyrs’ memorial was set up at the venue, where floral tributes were continuously offered. Slogans such as “Martyr farmers will live forever” and “Every farmer will remember the sacrifice of the martyrs” underscored that the movement is being seen not merely as a response to present concerns, but as a continuation of historic struggles.
Former CPI(M) legislator Balwan Poonia said that claims are being circulated that the company has withdrawn its decision to set up the factory, but neither the government nor the administration has issued any written order canceling the MoU so far. He emphasized that farmers would trust only a written decision.
Joginder Singh Ugrahan, president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), cautioned farmers against blindly trusting government assurances. He said farmers across the country are struggling for their rights and injustice is being done to them everywhere.
Mehnga Singh Sidhu, leader of the “Factory Hatao, Kshetra Bachao Sangharsh Samiti” in Tibbi, said the movement has only two demands: cancellation of the MoU and withdrawal of cases filed against farmers. He made it clear that nothing less than these demands would be acceptable.
Sangharsh Samiti leader Madan Durgesar said the fight is for the future of coming generations and that land, water, and the environment cannot be sacrificed in the name of development. Bhana Singh Sidhu questioned the claims of development linked to the factory, asking what would happen to their water, air, and soil.
CPI(M) leaders Prof. Om Jangu and Mangej Chaudhary said the government is testing the patience of farmers. CPI(M) leader Rameshwar Verma asserted that the factory would not be allowed under any circumstances on highly fertile land. Farmer leaders Abhimanyu Kuhad and Ashok Chaudhary also spoke about taking the movement to a decisive stage.
Meanwhile, the district administration said it has taken several steps to defuse the agitation. According to the administration, the demands of the Sangharsh Samiti have been forwarded to the state government and a five-member high-level committee has been constituted. The committee’s technical members met representatives of the Sangharsh Samiti on January 4, discussed their concerns, and also collected groundwater samples.
The administration further clarified that cases registered during the agitation are being investigated by the CID-CB, Jaipur, and that no investigation or action is currently underway at the district police level. All persons arrested earlier have been granted bail.
However, while the administration’s efforts remain in place, farmers say these steps appear to be a strategy to delay the movement or buy time. CPI(M) leader Raghuveer Verma said that if the government is truly serious, it must issue a written order canceling the MoU and withdrawing the cases against farmers.