Political Control in Maharashtra's Sugar Industry: A Barrier to Reform

In Maharashtra, India's key sugar-producing state, politicians control most sugar mills, leading to widespread neglect of documented abuses such as forced hysterectomies, debt bondage, and child labor. Despite reports highlighting these issues, lawmakers refrain from actionable reform, possibly due to their vested interests in the industry.

In the vital sugar lands of Maharashtra, India, systemic labor abuses remain prevalent despite efforts to bring attention to them. In 2019, the plight of women coerced into unnecessary hysterectomies reached the public eye thanks to a report by state lawmaker Neelam Gorhe. Her findings were presented to the state’s health authorities and the regional sugar industry regulators, urging her legislative colleagues to implement basic worker rights and protections. Yet, the reaction was largely indifferent.

The reason for this inaction could lie in the political entrenchment within the sugar sector. Maharashtra's sugar mills are predominantly led by politicians, including at least 21 state legislators and multiple members of Parliament, spanning all major political parties like the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. These political leaders profit from the industry, complicating the potential for significant reform. Despite Neelam Gorhe's push for change and adherence to legal wage and safety standards, the abuses reported continue unmitigated, affecting thousands of sugar field laborers annually. The intersection of politics and business appears to be a key barrier to addressing the human rights violations rampant in Maharashtra's sugar industry.