Tens of thousands of farmers gathered in India’s financial capital called off their agitation late on Monday after the Maharashtra government accepted their main demands, including widening the scope of a crop loan waiver program. "The state government assured us that they will form a panel to resolve the land rights issues," said Kishore Tiwari, president of the Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti, one of the organizers. Farmers who were left out of the earlier loan waiver program will be considered, the norms for compensation for pest attacks on cotton will be eased and the state government will seek higher support prices for crops from the central government, he said.
Rising discontent among the farming community is the latest challenge for Prime Minster Narendra Modi who promised to double farm incomes by 2022. Farmers are a key support base for political parties as 800 million of India’s 1.3 billion population depend directly or indirectly on agriculture for their livelihood. Bumper harvests, boosted by good rain in 2016 and 2017 after back-to-back droughts, have hurt incomes and left them with huge debts.
Furthermore, Devendra Fadnavis said earlier on Monday that his government was "sensitive and positive" towards the demands of farmers and tribals, who have marched from Nashik to Mumbai to draw the administration's attention towards their problems.
Fadnavis was responding to a discussion in the Assembly, initiated by Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil. He also said that the demands of protestors were very important, in the session.
The agitators, presently camped at Azad Maidan, have toiled their way walking from Maharashtra's Nashik district. The agitating farmers, joined by tribals, had halted at the KJ Somaiya Ground before making their way to Azad Maidan.
ALSO READ: Crop crisis: Over 30,000 farmers to protest outside Maharashtra Assembly Here are the top 10 developments around the Maharashtra farmers' protest at Azad Maidan:
1. We have accepted most of their demands and have given them a written letter: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Maharashtra Farmers' agitation.
2. Farmers can uproot governments, warns Yechury
Warning the ruling BJP, Communist Party of India-Marxist General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on Monday said that farmers can "uproot governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra" if they failed to concede their just demands.
Reaching Mumbai to address a rally of farmers' after their six-day Long March, he said the farmers were the "new soldiers of India" and like the jawans who protect the country's borders the peasantry produces food for the people.
"Any party which ignores the cause of farmers will not survive. Last year, for the first time in the country, Maharashtra farmers had gone on 'strike' which resulted in the announcement of a farm loan waiver package. But after 10 months, it remains unimplemented," Yechury said.
3. Farmers' Long March: Sharad Pawar, Anna Hazare flay BJP
Former union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar and social crusader Anna Hazare on Monday strongly criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre and in Maharashtra for letting down the farmers.
Speaking to the media in Mumbai and Ralegan-Siddhi (Ahmednagar), the two senior leaders asked why over 30,000 farmers were compelled to march nearly 200 km from Nashik to Mumbai for six days if the government was serious about accepting their demands.
"Why could the state government not depute a team to Nashik to discuss the grievances of the farmers and resolve it? Its four years since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power, but the promises of minimum support price for farm produce has not been implemented," Pawar said.
4. Dabbawals, Mumbaikars provide food to protesting farmers
The famed 'dabbawalas' of Mumbai and the city residents came out to help the thousands of farmers, who walked for six days to reach here from Nashik to raise their various demands, by providing them food and water.
The farmers walked upto the Azad Maidan in South Mumbai early this morning as a part of their 'long march' for raising demands, including implementation of the Maharashtra government's loan waiver scheme.
Subhash Talekar, the spokesperson of Mumbai Dabbawala Association, said, "We thought about helping the farmers with food as they are our food-providers and have come from remote parts of the state."
"We asked our men working between Dadar (in Central Mumbai) and Colaba (South Mumnbai) to collect food and deliver it to our farmer brothers at the Azad Maidan," he said.
Dabbawalas, the tiffin-carriers known for their efficient delivery service, provided food to the protesters as a part of their 'roti-bank' initiative.
5. AIKS delegations at Maharashtra Assembly: The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) leaders reached Maharashtra Assembly at 1pm to voice the demands of the protestors.
We've had a positive meeting with farmers in which all their demands were discussed. They had around 12-13 demands out of which we've accepted some & will be giving them a written draft of it.
I think they're satisfied with our decisions: Girish Mahajan, Maharashtra Minister
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Farmers delegation reached #Maharashtra Assembly for the meeting with the State Govt formed committee to discuss their demands.
12:58 PM - Mar 12, 2018
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6. Rahul Gandhi extends support, says the issue is faced by farmers all over India: Rahul Gandhi stepped forward in support of the farmers agitating in Mumbai. Speaking to ANI, Congress President said,"This is not an issue of Maharashtra farmers alone but of farmers all over India."
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This is not an issue of Maharashtra farmers alone but of farmers all over India: Congress President Rahul Gandhi on All India Kisan Sabha protest in #Maharashtra (file pic)
11:01 AM - Mar 12, 2018
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7. Security beefed up around Azad Maidan: Security has been tightened around Azad Maidan in Maharashtra State Assembly before farmers set to protest there, according to media reports. As earlier mentioned by Mumbai Police, the traffic is normalised but Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Amitesh Kumar added that police force has been increased around the vicinity as well as all over the city to avoid traffic chaos for students appearing for SSC examination.
8. AAP steps up in support of protesters: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) extended support to the ongoing protest. The party voiced its concern of the farmers as well as urged Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis to meet all the demands of the agitators.
AAP
✔
@AamAadmiParty
.@AAPMaharashtra stands in support of #KisanLongMarch by thousands of farmers who are marching towards Mumbai with their demands.
Maharashtra unit of AAP also urged CM @Dev_Fadnavis to meet all the demands of the farmers.
10:22 PM - Mar 11, 2018
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9. Food distributed among farmers halted at Azad Maidan; several suffering from dehydration: According to media reports, food is being distributed among farmers camped at Azad Maidan before they embark on to their march towards State Assembly later in the day.
Several farmers in the process are reportedly dehydrated after marching for more than 30 km on Sunday in Mumbai. There is also medical dispensary set up at Azad Maidan. Doctors who spoke to CNN-News18, said farmers were suffering from blood pressure and diarrhea.
10. No roads closure or diversion yet: Speakinng to ANI, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Amitesh Kumar, said that no road closure or diversions has been implemented due to the ongoing farmer's protest.
Contrary to the worries of the people of a possible traffic chaos, the Mumbai Police also tweeted that the traffic movements will remain normal just "like any other day" during the long march.
Today, Traffic mvmt will be normal like any other day. Tr R no diversions proposed on any road in limits of Mumbai 4 the proposed ‘Long March’. We will be posting updates as and when required. Don’t believe in rumours. Contact @MumbaiPolice & Dial 100 for any such verification.
— Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) March 11, 2018
Fadnavis forms six-member committee to look into demands: Maharasthra CM Devendra Fadnavis has formed a six-member committee to look into the demands of the agitated farmers as they plan to march to the Vidhan Sabha later today.
The decision was taken during a meeting held at Fadnavis' residence, informed a Chief Ministers Officers source.
The committee will comprise of Maharashtra Minister Chandrakant Patil, Agriculture Minister Pandurang Fundkar, Irrigation Minister Girish Mahajan, Tribal Development Minister Vishnu Savara, state cooperatives minister Subhash Deshmukh and Shiv Sena leader and PWD Minister Eknath Shinde.
ALSO READ: 34k farmers to gherao Maha assembly Monday, students may face traffic chaos
Rising discontent among the farming community is the latest challenge for Prime Minster Narendra Modi who promised to double farm incomes by 2022. Farmers are a key support base for political parties as 800 million of India’s 1.3 billion population depend directly or indirectly on agriculture for their livelihood. Bumper harvests, boosted by good rain in 2016 and 2017 after back-to-back droughts, have hurt incomes and left them with huge debts.
Furthermore, Devendra Fadnavis said earlier on Monday that his government was "sensitive and positive" towards the demands of farmers and tribals, who have marched from Nashik to Mumbai to draw the administration's attention towards their problems.
Fadnavis was responding to a discussion in the Assembly, initiated by Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil. He also said that the demands of protestors were very important, in the session.
The agitators, presently camped at Azad Maidan, have toiled their way walking from Maharashtra's Nashik district. The agitating farmers, joined by tribals, had halted at the KJ Somaiya Ground before making their way to Azad Maidan.
ALSO READ: Crop crisis: Over 30,000 farmers to protest outside Maharashtra Assembly Here are the top 10 developments around the Maharashtra farmers' protest at Azad Maidan:
1. We have accepted most of their demands and have given them a written letter: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Maharashtra Farmers' agitation.
2. Farmers can uproot governments, warns Yechury
Warning the ruling BJP, Communist Party of India-Marxist General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on Monday said that farmers can "uproot governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra" if they failed to concede their just demands.
Reaching Mumbai to address a rally of farmers' after their six-day Long March, he said the farmers were the "new soldiers of India" and like the jawans who protect the country's borders the peasantry produces food for the people.
"Any party which ignores the cause of farmers will not survive. Last year, for the first time in the country, Maharashtra farmers had gone on 'strike' which resulted in the announcement of a farm loan waiver package. But after 10 months, it remains unimplemented," Yechury said.
3. Farmers' Long March: Sharad Pawar, Anna Hazare flay BJP
Former union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar and social crusader Anna Hazare on Monday strongly criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre and in Maharashtra for letting down the farmers.
Speaking to the media in Mumbai and Ralegan-Siddhi (Ahmednagar), the two senior leaders asked why over 30,000 farmers were compelled to march nearly 200 km from Nashik to Mumbai for six days if the government was serious about accepting their demands.
"Why could the state government not depute a team to Nashik to discuss the grievances of the farmers and resolve it? Its four years since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power, but the promises of minimum support price for farm produce has not been implemented," Pawar said.
4. Dabbawals, Mumbaikars provide food to protesting farmers
The famed 'dabbawalas' of Mumbai and the city residents came out to help the thousands of farmers, who walked for six days to reach here from Nashik to raise their various demands, by providing them food and water.
The farmers walked upto the Azad Maidan in South Mumbai early this morning as a part of their 'long march' for raising demands, including implementation of the Maharashtra government's loan waiver scheme.
Subhash Talekar, the spokesperson of Mumbai Dabbawala Association, said, "We thought about helping the farmers with food as they are our food-providers and have come from remote parts of the state."
"We asked our men working between Dadar (in Central Mumbai) and Colaba (South Mumnbai) to collect food and deliver it to our farmer brothers at the Azad Maidan," he said.
Dabbawalas, the tiffin-carriers known for their efficient delivery service, provided food to the protesters as a part of their 'roti-bank' initiative.
5. AIKS delegations at Maharashtra Assembly: The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) leaders reached Maharashtra Assembly at 1pm to voice the demands of the protestors.
We've had a positive meeting with farmers in which all their demands were discussed. They had around 12-13 demands out of which we've accepted some & will be giving them a written draft of it.
I think they're satisfied with our decisions: Girish Mahajan, Maharashtra Minister
View image on TwitterView image on Twitter
ANI
✔
@ANI
Farmers delegation reached #Maharashtra Assembly for the meeting with the State Govt formed committee to discuss their demands.
12:58 PM - Mar 12, 2018
52
22 people are talking about this
Twitter Ads info and privacy
6. Rahul Gandhi extends support, says the issue is faced by farmers all over India: Rahul Gandhi stepped forward in support of the farmers agitating in Mumbai. Speaking to ANI, Congress President said,"This is not an issue of Maharashtra farmers alone but of farmers all over India."
View image on Twitter
View image on Twitter
ANI
✔
@ANI
This is not an issue of Maharashtra farmers alone but of farmers all over India: Congress President Rahul Gandhi on All India Kisan Sabha protest in #Maharashtra (file pic)
11:01 AM - Mar 12, 2018
85
48 people are talking about this
Twitter Ads info and privacy
7. Security beefed up around Azad Maidan: Security has been tightened around Azad Maidan in Maharashtra State Assembly before farmers set to protest there, according to media reports. As earlier mentioned by Mumbai Police, the traffic is normalised but Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Amitesh Kumar added that police force has been increased around the vicinity as well as all over the city to avoid traffic chaos for students appearing for SSC examination.
8. AAP steps up in support of protesters: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) extended support to the ongoing protest. The party voiced its concern of the farmers as well as urged Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis to meet all the demands of the agitators.
AAP
✔
@AamAadmiParty
.@AAPMaharashtra stands in support of #KisanLongMarch by thousands of farmers who are marching towards Mumbai with their demands.
Maharashtra unit of AAP also urged CM @Dev_Fadnavis to meet all the demands of the farmers.
10:22 PM - Mar 11, 2018
333
200 people are talking about this
Twitter Ads info and privacy
9. Food distributed among farmers halted at Azad Maidan; several suffering from dehydration: According to media reports, food is being distributed among farmers camped at Azad Maidan before they embark on to their march towards State Assembly later in the day.
Several farmers in the process are reportedly dehydrated after marching for more than 30 km on Sunday in Mumbai. There is also medical dispensary set up at Azad Maidan. Doctors who spoke to CNN-News18, said farmers were suffering from blood pressure and diarrhea.
10. No roads closure or diversion yet: Speakinng to ANI, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Amitesh Kumar, said that no road closure or diversions has been implemented due to the ongoing farmer's protest.
Contrary to the worries of the people of a possible traffic chaos, the Mumbai Police also tweeted that the traffic movements will remain normal just "like any other day" during the long march.
Today, Traffic mvmt will be normal like any other day. Tr R no diversions proposed on any road in limits of Mumbai 4 the proposed ‘Long March’. We will be posting updates as and when required. Don’t believe in rumours. Contact @MumbaiPolice & Dial 100 for any such verification.
— Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) March 11, 2018
Fadnavis forms six-member committee to look into demands: Maharasthra CM Devendra Fadnavis has formed a six-member committee to look into the demands of the agitated farmers as they plan to march to the Vidhan Sabha later today.
The decision was taken during a meeting held at Fadnavis' residence, informed a Chief Ministers Officers source.
The committee will comprise of Maharashtra Minister Chandrakant Patil, Agriculture Minister Pandurang Fundkar, Irrigation Minister Girish Mahajan, Tribal Development Minister Vishnu Savara, state cooperatives minister Subhash Deshmukh and Shiv Sena leader and PWD Minister Eknath Shinde.
ALSO READ: 34k farmers to gherao Maha assembly Monday, students may face traffic chaos
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