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After 35 years of first farmer's family suicide, peasant's situation still at crossroads in the state

From March 19, 2017, every year, one-day food sacrifice movement was organized for the first time in the entire state of Maharashtra. Farmers and their families celebrate this day as Kisan Smriti Divas by fasting for a day.

After 35 years of first farmer's family suicide, peasant's situation still at crossroads in the state
SHARES

The name of Yavatmal district in Maharashtra, which gives the highest revenue amount to the country, is one of the first places in the list of farmers who committed suicide.

On March 19, 1986, 35-year-old farmer Sahebrao Patil Karpe of Chilgavhan village, located in Mahagaon Tehsil of Yavatmal district, along with his family, ceased to death.

Exactly 35 years since the first officially-recorded farmer suicide in India was recorded in Maharashtra, the dismal trend has not stopped as the country's food-providers continue to remain at the crossroads of economic crises and development.

Sahebrao Patil, who was a graduate, killed his wife and four minor children -- the youngest 8-months old -- before ending his own life at their home.

From March 19, 2017, every year, a one-day food sacrifice movement was organized for the first time in the entire state of Maharashtra. Farmers and their families celebrate this day as Kisan Smriti Divas by fasting for a day.

This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was requested to celebrate and do the fasting at their respective homes. This movement was launched in Mahagaon as well as entire Maharashtra under the leadership of farmer leader Amar Habib. Along with declaring Kisan Smriti Diwas on March 19, the Central Government demanded the repeal of the three anti-farmer laws implemented in the meantime.

Amar Habib, the father of the “Anna tyag” movement, agitated in Pune. While one-day food sacrifice program was organized by various social organizations in the Warud area of Amravati district.

On March 19, the farmers’ sons support the one-day food sacrifice movement, which starts after they burn the effigy of Mahatma Phule in Warud on a day-long fast at their respective homes.

Saheb Rao Karpe Patil was a resident of Chilgavhan (Mahagaon Tehsil) of Yavatmal district. Saheb Rao Karpe Patil, who was a farmer by profession, was also the sarpanch of Chilgavhan village for 11 years. He owned 125 acres of land. Notwithstanding this, he committed suicide by drinking poison with his wife Malti, daughter Vishranti, Mangala, Sarita and youngest son on March 19, 1986. This incident is recorded in the government's diary as the suicide of the first farmer family of the state.

Although the food sacrifice movement has started on March 19, 2017, the farmers who join this movement try to give the message across the state that this movement is not being carried out only three years in advance, but it started in the same year. It happened when Sahebrao Patil Karpe committed suicide with his family members. At that time, the farmers did not have enough courage to raise their voice against the government, but on March 19, 2017, by the efforts of the farmer leader Amar Habib, the farmers organized the food sacrifice movement across the state, describing the day as painful for the farmer. Attention is drawn to this that the process of farmers' suicide in the state started 35 years ago, which is still going on and if the condition of the farmers is not taken care of by the government, then the death of the farmers will continue to take place.

It is a matter of great regret that the phase of farmer suicides that have been going on for a long time is not yet over. In other words, no government has paid serious attention to the request of farmers. The farmers have been bearing the brunt of the financial crisis and the weather for a long time, while the ruling governments keep on changing. Farmers eventually have to give up their lives amid the government’s false assurances and schemes.

Unless an effective step is taken for the interests of the farmers, the situation will not change. There is a need to make farmers self-reliant and economically successful before connecting them with the technological age. Till then there will be no improvement in the condition of the farmers.

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