MAHARASHTRA FARMERS’ AGITATION

Kisan Sabha

Nashik

Swaminathan

Ajit Nawale

BJP

Devendra Fadnavis

MLA

Mahajan

Members of thehave alleged that despite giving assurances, the government has not taken steps towards fulfilling their promises made to farmers after the recent long march. They have now decided to launch another protest against the state.The members have further alleged that none of the ministers who were present during the talks is responding to their demands.Within a year of the historical farmers’ strike in June 2017, over 30,000 farmers were back on streets in March to protest against the government’s ignorance towards them. The long march that began fromon March 6 and ended in Mumbai on March 12 also proved to be historical as thousands of farmers walked the distance in scorching heat. At the end of the march, the ministers met the delegation and gave an assurance that their demands will be met in one-and-a-half months. The prime demands that the chief minister claimed that have been accepted included loan waiver and implementation of M Scommittee report. The farmers were assured that a six-member committee will be appointed to look into how to fulfil the demands.With nothing done so far in favour of the farmers, members of the All India Kisan Sabha held a meeting to discuss the issue. It has been decided that they will tour the state in May and launch a protest on June 1.Over 30,000 farmers were on streets in March to protest against government’s ignorance towards them;(inset) at a Kisan Sabha meeting; PIC: NIKHIL GHORPADEDr Ajit Nawale, general secretary, Kisan Sabha, lamented, “The government has not even taken a single step towards forming the committee as promised. This is what thegovernment and CMare known for. So, we have decided to start a campaign again. Kisan Sabha will reach out to 20 lakh farmers across the state. We will tour 24 districts and try to create awareness about our demands in a bid to get them implemented. After this, on June 1, the farmers will march towards government offices andand MP homes. None of the governments till date seem to be serious about the issues that farmers have faced. So, we are looking at this as a long-term movement. Leaders have changed, but their intentions haven’t. We will keep fighting till our demands are met.”Nawale further criticised BJP minister Girishat the meeting. Nawale said, “Girish Mahajan came to be known as ‘Sankat Mochak’ of the government. It was as if he is the fire brigade. Whenever there is acrisis, he is sent for discussion. But the fire brigade needs to be working 24X7 and also needs to ensure that there are no fire accidents in the future. But Mahajan doesn’t seem to be doing it. He is not responding to any calls. This government doesn’t seem to be serious about farmers.”