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The 6-day-long march by protesting farmers in Maharashtra might not have found adequate space in our English national dailies, but it sure did worm its way into the hearts of Mumbaikars.
The city’s famed dabbawalas were among the saviours who came to the rescue of those thousands of farmers by providing them with food and water.
Almost 35,000 farmers walked a stretch of 180 kms from Nashik to Mumbai to demand loan waivers, the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, updated land records, and better crop prices.
En route to Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, the farmers were accompanied by a truck with food supplies, that was refilled by local residents along the Nashik-Mumbai highway, as per a report by Scroll.
Kisan Gujar, State President of the All India Kisan Sabha told Scroll:
Struggling in the blazing heat, when the farmers entered Mumbai, various groups distributed water, dates, and biscuit packets. To quench their thirst, resident welfare associations asked for more water tankers.
The Sikh community also distributed food to the participating farmers.
According to Mumbai Mirror, there were voluntary groups who called for people to donate footwear for the farmers’ aching feet.
Several political parties like the Congress, the NCP, the Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena have extended their support to the protesting farmers.
(With inputs from PTI)
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