Maharashtra farmers’ protest: Farmers and tribals from across the state began their protest on March 6 from CBS chowk in Nashik, and have walked over 160 kilometres in the last six days. (Express Photo/Janak Rathod)
Agitating farmers called off their stir on Monday after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said his government has accepted most of the demands of the farmers. “We have accepted most of their demands and have given them a written letter,” Fadnavis was quoted as saying by ANI.
The government also said the issue of forest land transfer rights would be resolved within six months, adding that a committee would be set up with two representative from Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha to look into problems of loan waiver to adivasis and farmers.
Speaking in the state legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said his government was open to talks with the farmers’ body, and that it was willing to consider all the demands put forth by farmers and tribals. Nearly 40,000 farmers and tribals, who began their protest on March 6 from CBS chowk in Nashik, reached Mumbai early this morning; they have walked over 160 kilometres in the last six days.
In pictures | Six days, 160 kilometres — farmers’ ‘long march’ reaches Mumbai
The farmers have a list of demands for the BJP-led government, including a complete loan waiver, an overhaul of the river linking scheme keeping in mind the tribal villages and implementation of recommendations made by the Swaminathan Committee report that asserts farmers should be paid one and a half times the cost of production.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi, meanwhile, said the party stands with the farmers and tribals. Taking to Twitter, he said the march shows the central and state government’s apathy. He appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Fadnavis to “not stand on ego” and accept the demands put forth by the farmers.
Maharashtra farmers’ march highlights:
Farmers agitation called off. Special train arrangements have been made to take them back.
Central Railway to run two special trains from Mumbai's CSMT to Bhusawal at 8.50 pm and 10.00 pm today to send the agitating farmers back.
We have accepted most of their demands and have given them a written letter: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Maharashtra Farmers' agitation
Anna Hazare said: "Only promising to fulfill the demands won't work, it's now the duty of the govt to work towards fulfilling what they've committed. They should think about the welfare of farmers so that they don't have to take it to the road next time."
A committee would be set up with two representative from Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha to look into problems of loan waiver to adivasis and farmers.
The government claimed that 20,000 cases of tribal land transfer have already been done since 2005. The remaining cases would be addressed, the govt said.
The state government has agreed to all the demands. The issue related to forest land transfer rights would be resolved within six months. A statement is being prepared. Senior minister will read it at Azad Maidan. It has been mutually agreed.
Maharashtra CM said in the state assembly, "We're positive towards fulfilling their demands.Since 1st day of Morcha we tried to discuss issues with them. Girish Mahajan was in touch with them from day 1. But they were firm on taking out the march'."
CM Fadnavis begins meeting with farmers' delegation and all political parties at Vidhan Bhawan, news agency ANI reported.
City residents were also seen offering 'Vada-pav' (a popular street snack), other food items and water to the farmers on Sunday night. A Mumbai resident also posted on social media a picture of food and water being distributed to farmers.
The famed 'dabbawalas' of Mumbai, along with locals, came out to help the farmers by providing them with food and water. Subhash Talekar, spokesperson of Mumbai Dabbawala Association, said, "We thought about helping the farmers with food as they are our food-providers and have come from remote parts of the state."
Aditya Thackerary, president of the Yuva Sena, says, "I spoke to them yest., and before when we toured the State to hear them, help them. No I didn’t see the red flags, I saw their red blood which is the same as ours. Whichever the flag they carry, whoever their political hero, govt has to hear them."
Congress state president Ashok Chavan to meet farmers at Azad Maidan shortly. Party president Rahul Gandhi tweeted a short while ago that the Congress supports the farmers' march.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi appeals to PM Narendra Modi and CM Devendra Fadnavis to not "stand on ego" and accept the demands put forth by the farmers. Taking to Twitter, he says, "The mammoth #FarmersMarchToMumbai is a stunning example of people’s power. The Congress party stands with the Farmers & Tribals marching to protest against the Central & State Govts. apathy."
Minister of State for Agriculture Gajendra S Shekhawat claims the farmers protest is "politically motivated". He adds, "Some parties are trying to mislead the farmers."
A delegation of farmers arrives at the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan to meet the representatives of the government, reports ANI. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan reportedly says, There will be a meeting with farmers at 1 pm. I think we'll give solutions for 80-90% of their issues. We're serious about the demands including loan waiver and will come up with best decisions. Written assurance will be given for accepted demands."
"The government reached out to us only on Friday and not at the beginning of the 'long march'. If we don't get concrete assurances of resolving our issues and demands, we will begin a fast tomorrow," says J P Gavit, seventh term CPM legislator from Kalwan constituency in Nashik district and one of the organisers of the march.
In the state legislative Assembly today, Fadnavis said his government has been in talks with the organisers of the protest, and has been positive to all the demands related to farmers and tribals.
In an editorial in Saamana today, the Shiv Sena has slammed the BJP for deceiving farmers by making hollow announcements in its state budget. 'Dharma Patil, a farmer from Dhule, came to the Mantralaya and committed suicide. Now, thousands of Dharma Patils, with slogans of 'jay kisan' are marching towards the Mantralaya. Their ire and pain will destroy the government,' reads the editorial.
Sena is among a host of political parties that have lent support to the farmers' march. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have also backed their agitation.
Speaking in the Assembly, Fadnavis says his government is open to dialogue with the farmers and has been positive to all demands related to farmers and tribals. He adds that since the beginning, senior minister Girish Mahajan has been in talks with the organisers of the 'long march'.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is scheduled to meet a farmers' delegation at 12.30 pm at the Vidhan Bhavan.
A delegation will meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with a charter of 20 demands put forward demands of the adivasis and farmers this afternoon. A six-member committee comprising of senior ministers has been constituted to look into their demands.
NCP leader and leader of opposition in the legislative council Dhananjay Munde, along with senior NCP state president Sunil Tatkare to meet the farmers at Azad Maidan shortly.
Here are some pictures of the protest entering Mumbai this morning.
(Express Photos/Prashant Nadkar)
In case you're just joining us, here's a quick update on the Maharashtra farmers' protest. The agitation reached Mumbai's Azad Maidan early this morning, after six days of tiring travel of over 160 kilometres. Thousands have reportedly joined the protest, on its last leg. They will march towards the Vidhan Sabha shortly, after which a delegation is likely to meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
(Express Photo/Prashant Nadkar)
Due to the farmers' march in the city today, the Mumbai Police will be active on social media, posting advisories and traffic diversions. Traffic restrictions are likely around Sion and Mulund as thousands march towards the Vidhan Sabha. We'll keep posting updates here as well, so stay tuned!
#BusinessAsUsual by E P Unny in The Indian Express today. Click here for more cartoons.
Farmers, who are currently at Azad Maidan, are likely to resume marching towards the state legislative Assembly at 11 am. "We will begin our rally after 11 am today so that students appearing for their Class 10 board exam don't face any difficulties," CPI(M) leader Ashok Dhawle was quoted as saying by PTI.
Nearly 50 artistes and poets have extended support to the farmers, in a bid to "give them more confidence." Joining the protesters at Somaiya ground — where they halted before leaving to Azad Maidan — poets from groups named ‘Banned’, ‘Yalgar’ and ‘Kalsangini’ have entertained them and taken to social media to spread the cause.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has set up a six-member committee to discuss the demands of the farmers. The committee comprises Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil, Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan, Agriculture Minister Pandurang Phundkar, Tribal Welfare Minister Vishnu Sawra, Cooperation Minister Subash Deshmukh and Public Works Department (Public Undertaking) Minister Eknath Shinde.
Highly-placed sources told The Indian Express, “At the meeting, the Chief Minister has also appealed to the rally organisers to ensure the students who are giving the exams are not put to any inconvenience.” Read more here.
Here are some images from Azad Maidan. The protesters reached the site this morning at around 5 am, where volunteers were distributing water and biscuits. While they plan to march to the Vidhan Bhavan later today, authorities have reportedly said they will be denied permission for the same. A delegation will, however, be allowed to meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
(Express Photo/Vignesh Krishnamoorthy)
A culmination of a swirl of agrarian movements across the state over the past two years, the farmers are armed with a list of demands. The demands include a complete loan waiver, an overhaul of the river linking plan in tribal belts, and the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006. Read | New edge to agrarian distress: Why demands are more than loan waiver
The protest, led by the CPI (M)-affiliated All India Kisan Sabha, is being staged by farmers, including a very large number from tribal-dominated talukas in Nashik, Thane and Palghar. They have a long list of demands for the state government, from a complete loan waiver to an overhaul of the river linking scheme. Here's what they have to say.
At around 5 am this morning, the protesters reached Azad Maidan, where volunteers were distributing water and biscuits. The civic body along with the Mumbai Police has provided four water tankers and fifty mobile toilets for the farmers at the site.
Farmers and tribals from across Maharashtra reached Azad Maidan in the financial capital on Monday, six days after they began their 'long march' from Nashik. They are protesting the government’s response to the distress in the state’s farm sector. After walking over 160 kilometres since March 6, they are now heading to the state legislative Assembly. Follow our live blog for the latest news and updates.