Maharashtra farmer protests: 'Don't stand on ego, accept demands', says Rahul Gandhi to Narendra Modi, Devendra Fadnavis

NEW DELHI: Congress president Rahul Gandhi today called the Left sponsored massive farmers' protest in Maharashtra "a stunning example of people's power", and urged PM Narendra Modi as well as the state's chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to "not stand on ego" and accept the farmers' "just demands".

"The mammoth #FarmersMarchToMumbai is a stunning example of people's power. The Congress party stands with the farmers and tribals marching to protest against the Central and State governments' apathy. I appeal to PM Modi and the CM to not stand on ego and to accept their just demands," said Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul also said today that farm distress issues are issues of all farmers in the country and not just of Maharashtra's farmers. In addition to the Congress, the NCP, the Shiv Sena and the MNS are also supporting the protests.

Fadnavis today said his government was "sensitive and positive" towards the demands of farmers, but he also claimed that 90-95 per cent of the protesters are tribals.

"They are fighting for forest land rights. They are landless and can't do farming. The government is sensitive and positive towards their demands," the chief minister said.

Azad Maidan in South Mumbai turned into a sea of red this morning around 7am as nearly 35,000 farmers, carrying red flags, converged here after walking around 180kms from the neighbouring Nashik district over the last six days. The CPM-affiliated All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) is spearheading the protest.

The farmers' demands include an unconditional waiver of loans as well as electricity bills; implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations, including an announcement of minimum support price for agriculture produce; and a pension scheme for farmers.

The reason for these demands is that crops have been destroyed on a large scale due to unpredictable weather and poor rainfall. While the state had announced a loan waiver scheme, the implementation has been patchy.

"All parties have supported their just demands. Instead of a ministerial committee, the chief minister should intervene immediately and take decisions on their demands. The government should ensure there is no law and order problem as the protesters have said they will not leave Mumbai until their demands are accepted," said NCP leader Ajit Pawar.