Farmers, farm labourers, and leaders gathered in a massive 'Mahapanchayat' at Dhan Mandi in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, on Wednesday. They gave the State government a 20-day deadline to stop building an ethanol factory at Rathikhera village. Local Congress and CPI(M) leaders supported the event. Farmer rights activist and BKU leader Rakesh Tikait and other union leaders spoke in favor of the farmers. Flags and banners of BKU and Samyukt Kisan Morcha were seen everywhere. Strict security was in place with many police and barricades. Prohibitory orders were set, and mobile internet was suspended in the area. Former CPI(M) MLA Balwan Poonia said the protest will stop only if the government cancels the MoU for the ethanol plant. Farmers worry the factory will harm their farmland by polluting groundwater and air. A 13-member protest delegation met officials at the Collectorate with demands: cancel the MoU, withdraw cases against farmers related to December 10 clashes, and punish officials involved. Hanumangarh Collector Khushaal Yadav promised to send a recommendation to the State government. Mr. Poonia said the peaceful protest will continue until the next 'Mahapanchayat' on January 7 in Sangaria. Mr. Tikait warned that groundwater, farming, and health are at risk due to the ethanol factory. The company building the 40 MW grain-based ethanol plant at Rathikhera is from Chandigarh and investing ₹450 crore. Opposition to the factory has lasted more than a year. The protest escalated in July when construction began on a boundary wall, leading to violent clashes on December 10. The State government has formed a committee led by the Bikaner Divisional Commissioner to study pollution and water toxicity concerns. The committee will report to the Additional Chief Secretary of Environment and Climate Change.