Video Editor: Sandeep Suman
Under pressure from the Opposition and ally Shiv Sena, the BJP-led Maharashtra government on Monday, 12 March, accepted the demands of agitating farmers, including their right to till forest land, as thousands of agriculturists converged in Mumbai in a sea of red.
The day turned out to be victorious for over 35,000 aggrieved farmers who trekked 180 km from Nashik to Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, with some even barefooted under the blazing sun.
The Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis agreed to accept almost all the demands that the farmers raised and promised to deliver them all.
We have agreed to set up a committee to hand over forest land used for farming, to tribals and farmers. A meeting was held with representatives of farmers and Adivasis at Vidhan Bhawan today. We have agreed to set up a committee to allot agricultural land to tribals provided they submit a proof of pre-2005 land cultivation. We have accepted almost all their demands.Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister, Maharashtra
The Azad Maidan turned into a sea of red today as farmers carrying red flags descended there. The CPI(M)-affiliated All India Kisan Sabha led the protest, where farmers demanded an unconditional loan waiver, and transfer of forest land to tribal farmers who have been tilling it for years.
Several parts of Maharashtra frequently face drought, and suicides due to rural indebtedness is common.
Every year, thousand of farmers commit suicide in India. Almost 38.7 percent of suicides are reportedly due to bankruptcy and indebtedness. (Accidental deaths and suicides in India 2015, NCRB, Ministry of Home Affairs).
The farmers were also agitating against non-implementation of the Swaminathan Committee recommendation for fixing the minimum support price at one-and-a-half times the cost of production, and the Forest Rights Act, CPI-M leader Ashok Dhawale said.
The farmers were also demanding a change in the plan to link rivers in Nashik, Thane and Palghar districts so as to ensure that tribal lands are not submerged, and water from the scheme is made available to these areas and other drought-prone districts.
They were also protesting against the state government's land acquisition for projects, including high-speed railway and super highways.
In November 2017, the state government announced a farm loan waiver, terming it the "biggest in Maharashtra's history".
As the farmers braved the sultry weather, the city's famed 'dabbawalas', known for delivering tiffins to lakhs of Mumbaikars with clockwork precision, offered them food and water.
As a resolution appeared in sight following their gruelling six-day journey, the farmers prepare to return home.
(With inputs from PTI)
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