Kolhapur | Ashwini Khondre, June 9

Thousands of farmers from across Kolhapur district staged a massive protest march to the District Collector's office on Monday, demanding the immediate cancellation of the proposed Shaktipeeth Highway project. Protesters declared that they would not surrender their land under any circumstances, warning that they were prepared to sacrifice their lives to protect their farms.

The march was led by Congress MP Shahu Chhatrapati, Congress leader Satej Patil, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana chief and former MP Raju Shetti, former MLA Ruturaj Patil, former MLA Satyajit Patil and Vijay Devane.

The rally began at Dasara Chowk and proceeded to the District Collectorate, with participants carrying placards opposing the highway project. Farmers from 78 villages likely to be affected by the proposed route joined the demonstration. A large number of women farmers also participated, expressing strong opposition to the project.

Protesters raised slogans such as, “The land belongs to us, not to anyone else,” and “We will shed blood but will not allow the highway to be built.” They argued that the acquisition of agricultural land would render many small and marginal farmers landless, threatening their livelihoods and future generations. Demonstrators also contended that adequate road connectivity already exists to major religious destinations in the region, making a separate Shaktipeeth Highway unnecessary.

Addressing the gathering outside the Collector's office, Satej Patil accused the government of attempting to suppress the protest and alleged that land measurement activities continued despite widespread opposition. He challenged authorities to conduct surveys in the presence of protesting farmers and announced that farmers from 12 districts would soon decide the future course of the agitation.

Supporting the movement, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Jayant Patil said farmers across Kolhapur, Sangli and Satara districts were united in their opposition to the project. He urged the state government to take note of public sentiment and withdraw the proposal.

Raju Shetti criticized the estimated ₹1 lakh crore cost of the project, warning that the financial burden would ultimately fall on ordinary citizens.

Protesters said the loss of farmland would jeopardize the future of farming families, making it difficult for future generations to survive. They reiterated their resolve to oppose the highway project under all circumstances, describing it as a matter of livelihood and survival.

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