Finally, it was March 12, 2018. Around 50,000 farmers and tribals had reached Azad Maidan. Travelling for days and nights together, they all had come with a mission, of being heard and respected. Over 35,000 farmers covered nearly 180 km over six days from Nashik only to ensure that the state government addresses their needs and demands. But the question remains if they had to go through all the pain and struggle? Why does it have to protest always, for the system to wake up and give their dues, with respect?
In response to the list of demands submitted by the delegation of farmers, labourers and tribals led to a committee of ministers and the members of the opposition, who discussed the needful, with the selected representatives of the farmers’ association.
Responding to the red wave, Shiv Sena taunted that the farmers had given Maharashtra government, ‘the last chance’ to fulfil the promises made to them. They also described the march as a slap in the face of the government.
The farmers’ major demands included a total farm loan waiver, implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations, transfer of forest land to the people who have been tilling it for years and minimum support prices.
CM Devendra Fadnavis answered the concerns of the farmers about the loan waivers and assured them that the loan waiver for 46 lakh farmers had been approved and so far ₹36 lakhs had been waived off. He also informed them about setting up a committee including farmers’ association members to oversee the proper implementation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Shetkari Sanman Yojana.
But the ruling party in the city, Shiv Sena, slammed the BJP-led government and told how they had just used the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji to merely make announcements in the span of the last three and a half years. Sena further pointed out that BJP had forced the people to walk for hundreds of kilometres to demand justice.
The protest was held under the banner of Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Sabha (AIKS) of the CPI(M). Two years ago, in May 2016, the AIKS had led an exceptional one lakh strong peasant siege for two days and two nights in Nashik. Back then too, BJP Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had assured AIKS about the same, but since the needs were not fulfilled, another march with 10,000 peasants in Thane city was conducted in May 2016 to emphasize the issue of peasant suicides. It looks like the peasants and tribals have found a torchbearer and have laid their utter faith in them.
The government also reassured that the Divisional Commissioner would personally investigate the availability of ration through the public distribution system and the damaged ration cards would be replaced in six months. Despite giving a written assurance, it would be a matter of consideration whether the promises to the farmers are met or not.
All said and done, what worries the people and irks them is the pain and struggle one has to go through in this country for their demands to be met. Is it right for the system and the government to ignore the needs of the farmers knowing that their dues are much deserved? Or is it just another political game to ensure they play it wisely (as they say so) for their next term? We wish the answer to this was clear, but sadly for decades, it has not been!
Until then, all one can do is show support to the ones who work hard to ensure we don't suffer hunger! Join hands in supporting them, and be a part of the change. It will be worth it!
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