We have been inundated by news about the farmers' march that proved it was not business as usual for Mumbai on Monday morning. Even though the kisans have returned to their soil, they won the heart of Mumbai going by the considerable support that has poured in through letters for them. The city took to the rural movement with a warmth that may have surprised many, given Mumbai's too-busy-to-care reputation. They were also moved by the plight of the people whose calloused feet became a symbol of the hardships they endure not just on this protest march, but on a daily basis.

It is important to understand why the farmers won Mumbai over. This, despite talk about the Maoists having a hand in this march and about Communists designed to disrupt the government and its development work.