Widespread Support in Maharashtra for Farmers’ Protest in Delhi
Image Courtesy: Mid-day
Mumbai: Hundreds of farmers and members of various organisations submitted held solidarity demonstrations with farmer protests in Delhi across Maharashtra on Thursday and submitted memoranda at every tehsil office. They demanded immediate repeal of all three anti-farmer laws passed by the Narendra Modi govenrment.
In Akole's tehsil office, the farmer agitation was led by Ajit Nawale of All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), who declared total support of the Maharashtra chapter of AIKSCC, to Delhi's ongoing agitation.
"Farmers have decided now that they won't stop until Modi Sarkar repeals the laws. This protest is a warning. If the Modi Sarkar refuses to respect farmers, the entire nation will rise in support of the agitation," said Nawale.
In Kolhapur, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana led the agitation, supported by Congress and Nationalist Congress Party. Local organisations of coolies, teachers and hawkers also extended their support.
The agitation intensified in Marathwada's various regions as farm labourers participated in large numbers, led by Sushila Morale and others. They were joined by the Unemployed Youth Organisation as well as Joint Action Committee of Trade Unions.
In Pune and Mumbai, Sanvidhan Sanvardhan Samiti along with Struggle Committee for People's March headed the protest. They displayed letters of support to the farmers’ agitation in Delhi.
Ruling parties like Congress, NCP also held independent protests at district collectorate offices. They said that they won't directly participate in the struggle because farmers want to keep this movement apolitical. "We are on same page that Modi Sarkar must scrap these three laws. Maharashtra is already studying the laws. It won't implement as it is," said NCP's Jayant Patil.
Not just social activists and political parties but intellectuals too have thrown their weight behind the farmers’ protest. In a public letter, more than 60 authors, novelist, poets, slammed the Modi Sarkar for being insensitive and anti-democratic.
"The Farm bills were passed in highly condemnable way. Since then, farmers are on road and demanding to scrap these laws. Government should have listened to them first but instead it used tear gas and water cannons. This is atrocious,” says the joint letter.
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