Milk Bonus Row Sparks Violent Dairy Protest in Gujarat

On July 15, 2025, a significant protest erupted at Sabar Dairy in Himmatnagar, Gujarat, led by 1,500 to 2,000 dairy farmers. The protesters were demanding a 20-25% increase in milk procurement bonuses after the cooperative reduced its annual bonus pool from ₹602 crore in 2024 to ₹500 crore in 2025. This cut in bonuses, amid rising inflation, frustrated farmers who perceived it as inadequate.

During the protest, tensions escalated rapidly as farmers vandalized gates, metal grills, and CCTV cameras, even trying to storm the dairy compound. In response, police used about 50 teargas shells to disperse the crowd, resulting in the arrest of around 40 protestors. The unrest also caused damage to police officers and vehicles.

According to the District Superintendent Vijay Patel, law enforcement attempted mediation, offering farmer representatives the opportunity to engage in talks with senior management. However, the situation escalated into violence, leading to minor injuries and property damage before order was restored.

Sabar Dairy attributed the reduced bonus allocation to delays in a financial audit and assured that interim payments were in place, pending final audit results. Farmers, however, rejected this explanation, citing real challenges from inflation that were not addressed by bonuses, compelling the need for a significant hike.

Political involvement was noted as Independent MLA Dhavalsinh Zala criticized both the cooperative leadership and the police force's response. The event highlights the political implications amid the upcoming GCMMF (Amul) board elections, emphasizing the farmers' role as stakeholders deserving fair returns.