Tamil Nadu farmers protesting at Delhi's Jantar Mantar for drought-relief funds and waiver of loans drank their own urine today, with the government doing little to heed their demands.

Farmers from the southern state, who have been agitating at Jantar Mantar for 40 days, had warned earlier today that they would drink urine. They are deeply distressed by the fact that despite agitating for almost 6 weeks, their genuine demands have not been addressed.

From holding skull protest, walking naked, eating off the roads, holding mock funerals, wearing sarees, breaking bangles and cutting off mangalsutras, Tamil Nadu farmers have resorted to all forms of protests to draw the Centre's attention towards their plight.

ANI Photo. ANI Photo.

Several farmers from the state have committed suicide in the wake of the drought crisis.

FARMER SPEAK

Recently, farmer leader Ayyakkannu was quoted as saying, "These demonstrations symbolise the plight of our women. Every farmer who commits suicide leaves behind a widow and the central government should take note of this and do the needful."

Political parties led by the DMK have declared a statewide bandh in Tamil Nadu on April 25 to highlight this issue and demanded that the Centre intervene in this matter on priority. CPI leader D Raja has blamed the Centre for not releasing adequate funds to redress the farmers' grievances.

Musicians have also expressed their solidarity with farmers by singing folk numbers at the Jantar Mantar.

PRASHANT BHUSHAN BACKS FARMERS' STIR

Meanwhile, Swaraj Abhiyan President Prashant Bhushan has also batted for drought relief aid to farmers of Tamil Nadu.

He recently said that he had petitioned the Supreme Court, seeking making Tamil Nadu a party to the plea asking for drought relief for peasants of 10 states.

"We have filed a petition seeking the Supreme Court to include Tamil Nadu as a party to the ongoing drought relief PIL that would extend to Tamil Nadu all reliefs granted to 10 other drought-hit states during 2015-16," Bhushan said.

The case will come up for hearing on April 26, he added.

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