Mumbai Farmers' Protest: Devendra Fadnavis positive towards demands

Protesting farmers reach Azad Maidan PicsPradeep DhivarMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said his government was sensitive and positive towards the demands of farmers and tribals who have marched from Nashik to Mumbai to draw the administrations attention towards their problems Fadnavis was responding to a discussion in the Assembly initiated by Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil who lauded the farmers participating in the Kisan Long March for their peaceful protest while demanding a complete loan waiver and compensation for hailstorm and pink bollworm pest attack on cropsFor the second time in 10 months Maharashtra farmers cracked the whip on the government to turn spotlight on the grave agrarian crises gripping the state by completing a long march to the Legislature in Mumbai on Monday More than an estimated 35000 peasants men women youth and even seniors with lines of worry collectively writ on their weary faces determinedly completed the 180km long march over six daysAzad Maidan in south Mumbai turned into a sea of red this morning as thousands of farmers carrying red flags converged here after walking around 180 kms under the blazing sun over the last six days The farmers plan to surround the Assembly complex to press for their demands of an unconditional loan waiver and transfer of forest land to tribal farmers who have been tilling it for years They reached Azad Maidan early today after camping at KJ Somaiya Ground in Sion areaFood being provided to the farmers at Azad MaidanOrganised by the All India Kisan Sabha AIKS the farmers wing of Communist Party of IndiaMarxist the farmers sporting red caps red flags beating drums and cymbals and the tribal blowing instrument tarpa marched in disciplined unity as the Bharatiya Janata PartyShiv Sena braced itself for the political fallout of the peasant power In a considerate gesture the farmers abandoned their nights rest to march from the Somaiya Grounds Vidyavihar starting 2 am Monday to reach the historic Azad Maidan at dawn to avoid inconveniencing students appearing for the ongoing board examinationsThe CPIMaffiliated All India Kisan Sabha which is spearheading the farmers protest said it will consider what the government has to offer CPIM leader Ashok Dhawle said over 50000 people have joined the protest We will begin our rally after 11 am today so that students appearing for their Class 10 board exam dont face any difficulties he saidFarmers were also provided medical attention at Azad MaidanTribals from Thane district have joined the farmers from Nashik district in the protest Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan who welcomed the march at Mulund in suburban Mumbai yesterday said the government which has met earlier demands by farmers will consider their latest ones The opposition Congress NCP Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and also Shiv Sena which is part of the BJPled ruling alliance in the state have extended support to the farmers demandsWary of the potential ramifications as the farmers prepared to lay seige on the Maharashtra Legislature on Monday afternoon the state government hurriedly formed a highpowered sixmember Ministerial Committee to discuss all issues with the peasantsFarmers leader Ajit Nawale said that among the major demands are implementation of the farm loans waiver announced in June 2017 after farmers in the state went on a strike then make the farmers completely debtfree besides other demands Considering the tremendous response we have evoked from across the state the government cannot dismiss us lightly If it continues to dillydally on the farm loans waiver or try to take us for a ride it will face the consequences Nawale told reporters late on SundayAIKS Maharashtra President Ashok Dhavale pointed out that the crisis in the farmlands is very severe with over 400000 farmers committing suicides in the past 25 yearsAgrarian distress is linked to malnutrition The farming community is feeling betrayed by the Bharatiya Janata Partyled governments in Maharashtra and at the Centre Dhavale saidFarmers also want the implementation of the MS Swaminathan Commission report which says farmers should be paid oneandahalf times the cost of production and the Minimum Support Price should be fixed keeping this in mind While there is no likelihood of all farmers being allowed to proceed to the Assembly complex from Azad Maidan a delegation of farmer leaders will be allowed to meet Chief Minister Devendra FadnavisCongress leaders including state chief Ashok Chavan Radhakrishna VikhePatil and Prithviraj Chavan and the Nationalist Congress Partys President Sharad Pawar and Dhananjay Munde and Jitendra Awhad declared support to the marchers Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray and Yuva Sena President Aditya Uddhav Thackeray turned up personally to welcome the farmers on Sunday eveningFarmers of All Indian Kisan Sabha AIKS march from Nashik to Mumbai to gherao Vidhan Bhawan on March 12 demanding a loan waiver in Mumbai PicPTIMany of the marchers braving the early summer heat were seen reaching Mumbai with red and swollen eyes broken or temporarily mended footwear dusty torn clothes having barely managed a square meal or a proper bath during the past week as they started in Nashik on WednesdayHowever they hoped that justice might be finally done to their causeAlso readMaharashtra Farmers Protest Mumbaikars Welcome Farmers With Open ArmsCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updatesWith inputs from agencies