Farmers initiate vehicle march from Nashik to Mumbai

On Saturday, January 23, several farmers in Maharashtra assembled to take part in protests against the farm laws proposed by the Centre.

More than 15,000 farmers began the march in vehicles like tempos and trucks from Nashik and they are reportedly touted to gather at the Azad Maidan in Mumbai on Sunday, January 24 where they are to continue their agitation against the farm laws till January 26.

Meanwhile, according to reports, on January 25, nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, state Congress chief and revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat, state environment minister Aaditya Thackeray and other senior leaders from the state will participate in the protest and also address a farmers’ rally. Moreover, the protest is part of the agitation being undertaken under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM).

On the other hand, earlier on December 22, the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, supported by different farmer organisations held a day-long demonstration at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), demanding that the three new farm laws be scrapped.

Moreover, the protestors chanted ‘Corporate hatao, kisan bachao’, as the activists assembled at the sprawling BKC, having marched from Mumbai suburban collector’s office to the Ambani Estate in the midst of heavy police force that tried to stop them from proceeding.

Currently in India, the farmers have been protesting alongside the Delhi borders against the new farm laws. They are protesting against the three laws, namely, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020; Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020, that took effect from September 27 after President Ram Nath Kovind's assent.