After being shut for over three years, the wholesale vegetable market at the APMC yard in Belagavi resumed operations on Tuesday, thanks to the tireless struggle of farmer activist Sidagouda Modagi.
The newly built market with 132 shops had remained closed since late 2021 following the rise of a private wholesale market on the city’s outskirts. Modagi, known for his protests against the Union government’s farm laws, turned his attention to this issue, launching a 10-day hunger strike demanding cancellation of the private market’s licence. His deteriorating health and growing support from social groups drew statewide attention. Senior Congress leaders D.K. Shivakumar and Satish Jarkiholi later assured action once in power, prompting Modagi to end his strike.
The agitation soon gained national traction, with Samyukt Kisan Morcha and Samyukt Horata Karnataka roping in SR Hiremath of Janandolana Mahamaitri to guide the movement. Modagi then unearthed irregularities in the private market’s approvals, including a land conversion request filed in 2014–15 under the name of a man who had died in 2011. Alleged forged documents strengthened his campaign.
Support also came from Belagavi (South) MLA Abhay Patil, who raised formal objections against the private market. Acting on complaints, Buda cancelled its land-use approval, followed by licence cancellations by BCC and APMC. On September 15, the Belagavi DC formed a panel under the assistant commissioner to oversee the shifting of the private facility.
Alongside public protests, Modagi pursued the matter legally with a PIL filed in the High Court and Supreme Court by advocate Nitin Bolabandi. “This is a win for farmers against money and muscle power. Had authorities acted earlier, the private market would never have existed. My four-year fight has finally borne fruit,” Modagi said.
