Maharashtra farmers march: Protesters set out to gherao Vidhan Bhavan today, will ask for complete loan waiver
Over 35,000 farmers from across Maharashtra, who embarked on a ‘Long March’ from Nashik on 6 March to press their various demands, arrived in Mumbai on Sunday.
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Over 35,000 farmers from across Maharashtra, who embarked on a 'Long March' from Nashik on 6 March to press their various demands, arrived in Mumbai on Sunday. Firstpost
Braving scorching heat, they have covered around 180-kilometre on foot in six days. The protesters stayed the night at the Somaiya ground in suburban Chunabhatti in Mumbai, and set out for Vidhan Bhavan in south Mumbai, where the Budget Session is underway. Firstpost
"We will gherao (lay siege to) the Vidhan Bhavan on Monday to demand a complete loan waiver, fair price for farm produce, implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, compensation for hailstorm-affected farmers among other things," Kisan Gujar, president of the state council of AIKS, said. Firstpost
Opposition Congress, NCP, Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and AAP, as well as ruling ally Shiv Sena have extended support to the farmers' march, Patidar leader from Gujarat Nikhil Sawani, who joined the march, said his community supported the protesters. Firstpost
In June 2017, similar protests had boiled over most parts of the state, forcing the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led government to announce a conditional Rs 34,000 crore loan waiver, which farmers said has not been implemented properly. Firstpost