Mumbai farmers protest updates: Central Railways to run 2 special trains as protesters decide to head home

Mumbai farmers protest updates: Central Railways to run 2 special trains as protesters decide to head home

FP Staff March 12, 2018, 19:49:43 IST

Protesting farmers reached Mumbai’s Azad Maidan by 5.10 am on Monday morning, after walking through the night. They will set out for the state Assembly later in the day.

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Mumbai farmers protest updates: Central Railways to run 2 special trains as protesters decide to head home

Central Railways to run 2 trains to send back agitating farmers

Central Railway will run two special trains from Mumbai’s CSMT to Bhusawal at 8.50 pm and 10.00 pm on Mondya to send the agitating farmers back, ANI reported.

Why farmers’ demands are no longer about loan waiver?

An outstanding majority of those who marched to Mumbai constituted of tribal people which brought to the fore a different edge to the agrarian crisis faced by rural Maharashtra. The agitation was less about farm loan waivers and more about drawing government attention to policy loopholes that have failed to help impoverished farmers of the state. 

Many of the participants in the protests were either tribals, demanding implementation of Forest Land Rights Act 2006, or land tillers (not owners) who have no institutional credit to their name but suffer excruciatingly in case of a failed crop. Their demands included basic things such as new and renewed ration cards so that they can access the Public Distribution System, or imploring the government to fix data/ technical errors in the database of beneficiaries for government schemes such as Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojna and Shravan Bal Yojna.

Farmers satisfied with our decisions: Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan

Govt arranges special trains to send back protesters to their home towns: CNN-News18

Govt assures to fix ration card related discrepancies in 6 months

Ration cards in tribal areas have not been renewed or issued since years, therefore one of the demands of the protesters was to fix these concerns. The governmenr has reassured the farmers that new BPL ration cards will be issued within 6 months.

Devendra Fadnavis assures farmers, tribals of assistance,says land issues will be solved in time-bound manner

Chief Minister Devendr Fadnavis took cognisance of the tribal people’s demands for forest land rights, saying his government takes their concerns seriously. He assured the leaders that the government would try to resolve forest land related issues within six months. It also promised to form a special team headed by the chief secretary to look into the reverification of disputed or controversial land titles in tribal areas.

Farmers call off stir after written assurance from CM

Firstpost reports show Maharashtra govt failed to make farm loan waiver benefits ‘pilferage free’

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis drafted an ambitious plan to make the Rs 34,000 core farm loan waiver pilferage-proof by linking disbursal to Aadhaar numbers. However, Firstpost investigation shows how banks turned in such corrupted list of beneficiaries and their Aadhaar numbers that the entire disbursal mechanism collapsed. This caused needless delay in disbursals and put enormous pressure on the government to speed up the process, which they did by abandoning the Aadhaar-linkage. 

The BJP-led government in Maharashtra announced its historic farm loan waiver scheme — titled the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Shetkari Sanman Yojana — on 22 June, 2017. The scheme was originally intended to benefit 89 lakh farmers. Chief Minister Fadnavis had estimated that the burden on the state exchequer on account of the scheme would be Rs 34,022 crore.

However, the scheme has been hobbled by technical glitches, mismatches in data and tussles in the bureaucracy.

Read the full report here

FirstCut By Manjul Toons

Govt passed off benefits of loan waiver schemes to 35.68 lakh farmers out of a total 89 lakh eligible farmers

One of the major demands being raised by the protesting farmers is to hasten up the already delayed roll-out of last years’ farm loan package. According to a report in _ Livemint , a_s of 6 March, the state government has passed on Rs 13,782 crore as loan waivers to 35.68 lakh farmers out of a total 89 lakh farmers expected to benefit from the scheme.

Govt reached out to protesters from start, tried dissuading from march: Fadnavis on criticism over forcing farmers to take long march

Reacting to criticism for ‘making’ farmers come this far to talk to the government and not meeting them half-way, Fadnavis said his government was in touch with the march organisers since 6 March.

“When this protest march was about to begin, Girish Mahajan from the government side spoke to the farmers and tried to dissuade them from starting the protest march. The government tried to start a dialogue with the farmers but they were adamant to start a protest march,” Fadnavis told the Assembly. 

“But they were adamant on the march. We tried to talk to them. All help was provided, like traffic management and deployment of medical vans,” he said.

Opposition leaders Vikhe Patil had said, “Why couldn’t the government talk to them before the march began from Nashik on March 6. Such hardships for tribals and farmers could have been avoided.”

The chief minister had faced backlash on this accord on social media as well.

Devendra Fadnavis knew he was walking into political trap, there isn’t easy escape now

If you look at the farm loan waiver issue in Maharashtra, one should be actually sympathetic to its 47-year-old Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He never wanted to do it in the first place and thought of better solutions to save farmers. 

But subsequently, as the calls for loan waiver strengthened, agitations began not just in Maharashtra but in other agrarian states, Fadnavis failed to walk his talk and the chief minister failed to walk his talk as he was forced to follow the Yogi-way by announcing a Rs 30,000 crore loan waiver for Maharashtra farmers in June 2017. 

Right now, the CM is facing a Catch-22 situation. There is a massive farmer protest at a stone’s throw distance away from his office demanding a complete waiver of farm loans and electricity bills. If he agrees to that, the state will have to find the means to deliver. The exchequer is already on a weak ground after an additional Rs 20,000 crore borrowing to fulfill part of the Rs 34,000 crore farm loan waiver already announced post Yogi’s announcement. Also, Fadnavis is running the risk of a situation wherein he may have to go for similar waivers in future as well whenever rains fail. 

Read the full article here

Mumbaikars on streets to help protesting farmers, offer food, flowers footwear 

As politics over the political inclination of those protesting goes on, Mumbaikars have come out in support of the poor farmers who took a long march to reach Mumbai. City residents were seen offering ‘Vada-pav’ (a popular street snack), other food items and water to farmers last night. A Mumbai resident also posted on social media a picture of food and water being distributed to farmers. Reports also came that several people offered more comfortable footwear to those walking for miles in their chappals.

Rahul Gandhi asks Fadnavis, Modi to shed ego and accept farmers’ just demands

Congress president Rahul Gandhi today urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to shed their egos and accept the “just demands” of the thousands of farmers and tribals protesting in Mumbai. 

The Congress, he added, stands with the farmers and tribals marching to protest against the apathy of the central and state governments.

“I appeal to PM Modi and the CM to not stand on ego and to accept their just demands,” Gandhi tweeted.

Meeting between Maharashtra Farmers and all-party delegation begins

According to ANI, a meeting between an all-party delegation and the farmers’ leaders has started at the Vidhan Bhawan in Mumbai. The meeting is being chaired by chief minister Devendra fadnavis.

Devendra Fadnavis says 80% protesters are tribals, seeking land rights not loan waivers

Speaking in the Maharashtra Assembly over the farmers’ protest, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that a substantial number of those participating in the protests are landless tribals, whose main concern is forest rights and land rights. 

“Around 90 to 95 percent of the participants are poor tribals. They are fighting for forest land rights. They are landless and can’t do farming. The government is sensitive and positive towards their demands.”

The chief minister also announced forming a six-member ministerial committee to look into the protester’s demands.

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.

Maharashtra protest just the beginning, mega protest in New Delhi in April

Leaders of farmer associations across the country are planning to hold protests similar to those by Maharashtra farmers, culminating in a mega rally in April, reported  News18 . “The government’s anti-farmer stand needs to be challenged. We will hold a rally for the same in Guwahati very soon. State farmer heads are in close collaboration and we are planning to hold a big protest in New Delhi sometime in April. Farmers from all over India will be present in that rally. ," said Akhil Gogoi, a Northeast-based farmer rights leader. 

Farmers from Gujarat and Tamil Nadu also confirmed to News18 their plan to hold a mega rally in New Delhi.

The politics behind the Maharashtra farmers’ march

As of now, all opposition parties have thrown their weight behind the CPM-led All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) and extended their support to the farmers’ march, which reached Mumbai’s Azad Maidan on Monday morning. 

This can actually be detrimental for the Narendra Modi-led Centre and BJP government in Maharashtra, notes this Economic Times article . One of the reasons is that the issue is not manufactured out of thin air. The problem actually persists. Secondly, the report notes, it can instantly mobilise thousands into protests. 

The third factor is that it will generate a wave of sympathy from those in urban areas. A quick scan through one’s Twitter feeds is enough to note that. Moreover, this agriculture crisis and the protests that follow thereafter could be a major challenge for BJP in the upcoming Assembly polls in agriculturally-dependednt Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.

Dabbawalas of Mumbai deliver food to protesters at Azad Maidan

The famous Dabbawalas of Mumbai and city residents came together on Monday to provide food for farmers and protesters who reached Azad Maidan on Monday. 

Providing them food and water, dabbawalas between Dadar and Colabad collected food and water to deliver it to protesters as part of their ‘roti bank’ initiative, reported News18. 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.” 

According to Talekar, the Mumbai roti-bank, of which the dabbawalas are an integral part, deploys GPS-tracked vans to collect excess food from eateries, hotels, public functions, and households, so that it can be distributed to the poor and hungry people.

Farmers need to be heard, says Yuva Sena president Aaditya Thackeray

Thackeray said that when he spoke to them, he did not see red flags but red blood. “Whichever the flag they carry, whoever their political hero, government has to hear them.”

“They are farmers who need to be heard. It’s unfortunate to be insensitive to those who feed us and put ideological cages on them. I’m proud of my fellow Shiv Sainiks who are with them nursing their wounds, and voicing the farmers in the Assembly too, only seeing their need.,” he tweeted. 

Visual of a woman protester at Azad Maidan in Mumbai

Image courtesy: Sachin Gokhale/ Firstpost

Since Day 1 of morcha, tried to discuss issues with farmers, says Fadnavis

According to ANI, Fadnavis said that the government has been positive in fulfilling demands. “Since the first day of the morcha, we tried to discuss various issues with them (farmers). Girish Mahajan was in touch with them from day one. But they were firm on taking out the march,” he said. 

Mammoth farmers’ march example of people’s power: Rahul Gandhi

‘Govt sensitive to farmers’ needs’: BJP leader Ram Kadam

Speaking to CNN-News18, BJP leader Ram Kadam said that the government is sensitive to the peasants’ demands. “The government is sensitive to farmers’ need. We will listen to their problem and resolve it,” he said.

Congress MP Nana Patole addresses morcha at Azad Maidan

Image courtesy: Sachin Gokhale/ Firstpost

Visual of farmer delegation at Vidhan Bhavan

Image courtesy: Sanjay Sawant

Farmer brings along solar panel to charge phones

48-year-old protester from Ganeshgaon in Tryambak Taluka, Nathu Nivrutti Udar has a solar panel mounted on his head, to charge mobile phones, reported News18 . Father of two children, he said, “I got this panel for my house but when we decided to come here, I thought I should install this on my head, so that I can charge the panels and use it to charge farmers’ phones.” 

Image courtesy: News18

Here’s a look at how agrarian protests across the country have increased over the years

‘No question of compromise, will go back only when demands are fulfilled’: Ajit Navale, Kisan leader

According to the  Hindustan Times , AIKS general secretary Ajit Nawale said that there is no question of compromise. “This is not a political issue. The government must respect farmers. We have marched more than 100 kilometres and will go back only when all our demands are fulfilled.”

State govt sensitive to farmers’ issues: Fadnavis tells Maharashtra Assembly

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis told the Assembly that the state government was quite sensitive and positive towards the issues raised by thousands of farmers and tribals.

Fadnavis, who will shortly meet the representatives of farmers and tribals, assured the state assembly that the government was committed to resolving issues raised by farmers and tribals.

AIKS farmers’ delegation reaches Maharashtra Assembly 

The farmers’ delegation led by All India Kisan Sabha leaders reached the Maharashtra Assembly at 1 pm. They will be meeting Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to discuss their demands and later take a call on if the protesters gathered at Azad Maidan should march to Vidhan Bhavan. 

12:45 PM (IST)

BJP stokes controversy, Poonam Mahajan says protests fulled by ‘urban maoists’

Speaking to CNN-News18 outside the Parliament, BJP MP Poonam Mahajan said that the farmers’ protest is fuelled by ‘urban maoism’. “They (farmers) are holding the flag of Communists, and urban maoists are misguiding them,” she said. 

“If you have seen this march, a big and peaceful march, with farmers holding a communist flag and they’ve all come from northern Maharashtra. With respect to all this, what do all these farmers want? They have accepted the loan waiver has happened. When the chief minister sits with the farmer leaders, they’ll sort out the issues,” Mahajan said earlier. 

12:40 PM (IST)

Here’s a look at India’s agricultural debt

12:30 PM (IST)

‘Tired, our legs swollen, but we will complete the walk,’ say farmers before reaching Azad Maidan’

Exhausted from walking from for nearly a week over 180 kilometres, farmers on Monday remained tireless in their efforts to achieve what they came for. Speaking to  Hindustan Times , a farmer from Beed, Parshuram Gaikwad said, “We will not move from the state legislature building until our demands are met. There is no way anyone will back out after reaching so close to the destination. Yes, we are tired and our legs have swollen, but we will complete the walk.”

12:23 PM (IST)

AIKS takes a dig at Narendra Modi, says farmers are marching for ‘acche din’ 

12:19 PM (IST)

RECAP: Visual of farmers marching towards Azad Maidan at JJ Flyover at 5 am

12:13 PM (IST)

Govt trying to discredit protest, say Kisan Sabha leaders

Responding to Fadnavis’ claim that 95 percent of the protesters are tribals and thus, not farmers technically, All India Kisan Sabha leaders said that it was an attempt on the part of the government to discredit the protests, reported CNN-News18.

12:07 PM (IST)

Visual of farmers resting at Azad Maidan

Following a nearly six-day walk from Nashik, with blistered feet in the scorching sun, farmers have gathered at Azad Maidan in Mumbai. The farmers’ delegation led by AIKS will meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at 2 pm. 

Image courtesy: Sachin Gokhale

11:57 AM (IST)

Farmers in march from Raigad, Marathwada, Vidarbha districts

Farmers participating in the march hail from Marathwada, Raigad, Vidarbha and other districts. The protests also include both men and women from tribal-dominated talukas in Nashik, Thane and Palghar.

11:51 AM (IST)

In five years to 2015-16, real farm income per cultivator increased by 0.44% each year

As per an  IndiaSpend  report published in July 2017, the inflation-adjusted farm income per cultivator increased by only 0.44 percent a year in the five years leading up to 2015-16. The article, quoting a NITI Aayog report, said that since 1993-94, it rose 108.5 percent to Rs 44,207 in 2015-16.

11:46 AM (IST)

‘State positive about farmers’ demands’: Devendra Fadnavis

Speaking in the Vidhan Bhavan, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the state is positive towards the farmers’ demands. “The state is positive about demands of farmers. 95 percent of the protesters are tribals, so technically they are not farmers,” he said. 

11:42 AM (IST)

WATCH: Farmers and protesters marching towards Azad Maidan at Kings Circle at 2 am on Monday

Video courtesy: Sanjay Sawant

11:39 AM (IST)

NCP state chief Sunil Tatkare, Dhananjay Munde visit farmers at Azad Maidan

NCP state president Sunit Tatkare and Dhananjay Munde visited the Kisan Sabha farmers gathered at Azad Maidan on Monday. Earlier in the morning, PWP MLC Jayant Patil also visited morcha. 

Input from Sanjay Sawant

11:34 AM (IST)

Devendra Fadnavis to meet farmers at 2 pm

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is set to meet the All India Kisan Sabha delegation at 2 pm, according to media reports. The farmers’ delegation was earlier supposed to meet Fadnavis around noon on Monday morning but the meeting as been deferred due to the ongoing Assembly session.

11:22 AM (IST)

Volunteers distribute food among farmers gathered at Azad Maidan

Image courtesy: Sachin Gokhale/Firstpost

11:05 AM (IST)

Not just issue for Maharashtra farmers, but farmers all over India, says Rahul Gandhi

ANI quoted Rahul Gandhi as saying, “This is not an issue of Maharashtra farmers alone but of farmers all over India.”

10:49 AM (IST)

WATCH: Doctors talk about the problems farmers complained of in their march to Mumbai from Nashik 

Facebook LIVE: Sanjay Sawant

10:42 AM (IST)

Security tightened around Azad Maidan, Maharashtra Assembly

Traffic police have been deployed across the city to ensure smooth movement of traffic. Amitesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) told CNN-News18 that traffic is expected to flow normally on Monday, without any disruptions. He also added that security has been increased around the Assembly and Azad Maidan. Policemen are also on foot to ensure students attending their SSC Class 10 board exams are not inconvenienced in any way.

10:35 AM (IST)

WATCH: Firstpost’s Sanjay Sawant talks to Mumbaikars about the farmers’ morcha

Facebook LIVE: Sanjay Sawant

10:32 AM (IST)

Visual of injured farmers queing up for medical aid at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan

Image courtesy: Sachin Gokhale

10:30 AM (IST)

Visual of farmers gathered at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan

Image courtesy: Sachin Gokhale

10:14 AM (IST)

Mumbai-based artists, poets join farmers’ protest march

A group of 50 poets and artistes on Sunday joined the ongoing farmers’ protest march in Mumbai, reported The Indian Express . Artists from groups such as ‘Banned’, ‘Yalgar’ and ‘Kalsangini’ joined the farmers at the KJ Somaiyya ground in Sion. They recited poems of popular Marathi reformers such as Anna Saheb Sathe and Vaman Dada Kardak. 

Speaking to Indian Express, poet Dharmarakshit from the group ‘Yalgar’ said, “Farmers are the bread-winners of the entire nation. It is time we supported their cause and show them solidarity. Our group has always supported the actions of those who have fought for what is right.”

10:09 AM (IST)

Aam Aadmi Party extends support to AIKS-led farmers’ march

10:05 AM (IST)

WATCH: Police arrangements made at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan

Facebook LIVE: Sanjay Sawant

Here is a cartoon on the Maharashtra farmers’ protest

Similar protests took place in June 2017

In June 2017, similar protests had boiled over most parts of the state, forcing the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led government to announce a conditional Rs 34,000 crore loan waiver, which farmers said has not been implemented properly.

Similar demands of loan waiver and 50 percent profit over the input cost have been made by farmers across the country, putting the BJP-led central government in a fix.

WATCH: Sea of red at Azad Maidan with farmers interacting with their kisan leaders

Farmers put off marching to Vidhan Bhavan till after meeting with Devendra Fadnavis

The representative of the Maharashtra farmers morcha led by All India Kishan Sabha (AIKS) will meet Maharashtra chief minister Devender Fadnavis at 11.30 am. According to News18 , the farmers will take a call after the meeting on whether to march towards the state Assembly or not.

Mumbaikars extend support to farmers

As farmers, who have travelled from Nashik over 180 kilometres, reached Mumbai on Saturday, Mumbai residents did their bit to help them out. According to  The Times of India , the Thane Matadata Jagran Manch provided nearly 500 kgs of food grains to peasants camped at the BMC octroi ground. 

Another group collected footwear for farmers who continued to walk in the scorching heat with blistered feet. “We were shocked to see the farmers walk barefoot on the highway. Some of us removed our footwear and offered it to the women, while others decided to donate shoes the following day,” said Nita Karnik, a resident who delivered 100 pairs of shoes.

WATCH: Protesting farmers listen to AIKS leaders speak at Azad Maidan

Facebook LIVE: Sanjay Sawant

Visual of food trucks at Azad Maidan

Image courtesy: Sachin Gokhale

BMC installs toilets, water tankers at Azad Maidan

The Mumbai civic body on Sunday stated that it will provide 20 mobile toilets at Azad Maidan, which will be increased at night time to 40 toilets. Furthermore, four water tankers will be put in place at the ground. Pay toilets near Azad Maidan and Mantralaya have been instructed to provide free services for two days.

Security beefed up around Maharashtra Assembly

Security around the Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai has been tightened as the AIKS-led farmers’ march reached Azad Maidan on Monday morning, According to CNN-News18, tear gas shells have been kept ready. Though a Bombay High Court order restricts any protests or marches near the Legislative Assembly House area, the farmers on Sunday seemed determined to carry out their march to the Vidhan Bhavan.

Sitaram Yechury calls farmers’ march a ‘fight for their rights’

Why are the farmers protesting?

The farmers from Maharashtra want to press the state government to implement the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission. According to IANS, complete loan waiver and profit of 1.5 times input cost for all major agriculture commodities are some of the other major demands of the AIKS.

The agitating farmers are also demanding compensation of Rs 40,000 per acre for the destruction of crops due to hailstorm and pink bollworm, allocation of forest land under cultivation to farmers and implementation of Forest Rights Act.

WATCH: Firstpost LIVE from Azad Maidan on the ongoing farmers’ protest in Mumbai

RECAP: Shiv Sena, MNS extend support farmers’ protests

Apart from Shiv Sena, which is part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, the march on Saturday received support from Raj Thackeray, who heads the rival Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Sena and MNS workers were on streets to welcome the farmers and extend logistical as well as moral support to the march. Eknath Shinde, senior Shiv Sena leader and minister in the state cabinet, welcomed the march in Thane. The opposition Congress and Nationalist Congress Party had backed the march from the very beginning.

Protesters not be allowed beyond Azad Maidan, say govt sources

According to _ NDTV , g_overnment sources said protesters will not be allowed to proceed to Vidhan Bhavan beyond Azad Maidan to meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Only a delegation of farmer leaders from the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) will be allowed to meet Fadnavis around noon. The Left-affiliated peasant organisation, which is leading the protests, said they are open to consider what the government offers them.

WATCH: ‘Came here in protest so that future generations can benefit’, says tribal farmer from Nashik

​Sakhubai, a tribal farmer from Nashik, said that the Maharashtra government has only given assurances for several years over farm loan waiver, allocation of forest land under cultivation to farmers etc. She also said that she receives around Rs 2 per kilogram for the crops she produces, whereas the market price of buying other products is much higher, making her sustenance impossible.

Having walked for more than 180 kilometres to Mumbai, Sakhubai initially did not want any medical treatment saying she did not want anything from the government. However, due the condition of her feet, people forced her to visit the medical camp set up at Azad Maidan. “I’m walked here for the future generations. I am old but hopefully things will change for posterity,” she said. 

Input from Sanjay Sawant and Sachin Gokhale

WATCH: Food distributed among farmers camped at Azad Maidan

Video courtesy: Sachin Gokhale

RECAP: Farmers decide to walk to Azad Maidan overnight to avoid inconveniencing students appearing for SSC exams on Monday 

Shiv Sena to disrupt Assembly over farmers’ protests

The Shiv Sena said they are not going to let the state Assembly function on Monday until the farmers’ demands are met. 

Farmers dehydrated, suffering from blood pressure, diarrhea

Maharashtra farmers, who have now reached Azad Maidan after walking overnight from KJ Somaiyya ground in Sion, are reportedly dehydrated from travelling in the scorching sun for 30 kilometres on Sunday in Mumbai. There is a medical dispensary set up at Azad Maidan. Doctors who spoke to CNN-News18, said farmers were suffering from blood pressure and diarrhea. 

Image courtesy: Sanjay Sawant

Latest visuals from Azad Maidan

Traffic movement to be normal like any other day

‘80-90% of demands will be fulfilled’

Speaking to CNN-News18, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’ representative, Giriraj Mahajan said that nearly 80 to 90 percent of the farmers’ demand will be fulfilled.

No roads closed or traffic diversion due to farmers’ morcha, says Mumbai traffic police

Speaking to ANI, Amitesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) said that there are no roads closed or diverted due to the ongoing farmers’ protest in Mumbai. The protesting farmers are currently at Azad Maidan and set to head for the state Assembly today. 

RECAP: Congress Rajya Sabha MP Husain Dalwai, PWP MLC Jayant Patil visit farmers in Sion

Input from Sanjay Sawant

RECAP: Visual of farmers resting at KJ Somaiyya ground in Sion on Sunday

Devendra Fadnavis appoints six-member committee

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis appointed a six-member committee comprising BJP and Shiv Sena leaders to discuss the farmers’ demands. The BJP members on the panel are Chandrakant Patil, Subhash Deshmukh, Pandurang Fundkar, Girish Mahajan, Vishnu Savra and one Shiv Sena MSRDC minister, Eknath Shinde.

Input from Sanjay Sawant

Water resources minister Girish Mahajan welcomes morcha

On Monday early morning at 3.30 am, water resources minister Girish Mahajan once again welcomed the farmers’ march at Lower Parel. He reportedly walked from with the farmers till they reached the Azad Maidan at 5.10 am. 

Input from Sanjay Sawant

Devendra Fadnavis likely to meet farmers at noon

According to CNN-News18, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis will likely meet the protesting farmers at noon on Monday. 

The farmers are expected to march to the Vidhan Bhavan at 9 am on Monday to press the government to implement the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission. According to IANS, complete loan waiver and profit of 1.5 times input cost for all major agriculture commodities are some of the other major demands of the AIKS.

The agitating farmers are also demanding compensation of Rs 40,000 per acre for the destruction of crops due to hailstorm and pink bollworm, allocation of forest land under cultivation to farmers and implementation of Forest Rights Act.

Farmers’ march from KJ Somaiyya grounds in Sion resumed at 2 am

The All India Kisan Sabha farmers resumed their march from the Somaiyya grounds at 2 am on Monday. “We don’t want to create a problem for exam going students of 10th standard. We don’t mind suffering more but we don’t want our student to suffer,” AIKS president Ashok Dhawale told Firstpost. 

Input from Sanjay Sawant

Farmers reach Azad Maidan by 5.10 am

Protesting farmers from the CPM-led All India Kisan Sabha reached the Azad Maidan on Monday morning at 5.10 am. They had earlier arrived at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. They are set to gherao the Vidhan Bhavan later on Monday. 

Updates for 12 March, 2018 begin here

No govt can be insensitive to farmers’ issues, says RSS

Farmers’ problems should be understood sensitively and practical solutions found for them, the RSS said on Sunday.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) General Secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi said there was a need to change the agrarian policy and the government has to ensure that farmers get a proper price for their produce. However, he noted that there were a few obstacles in doing so.

Replying to a query on farmers’ issues, he said their problems should be understood sensitively and practical solutions  found for them.

“No government can be insensitive on the questions related to farmers and it has to be sensitive towards farmers and find ways to address their problems. It is their job to think and find a solution,” Joshi told reporters here at the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) of the RSS, the ruling BJP’s ideological mentor. —PTI

MCGM to provide stationary ambulance, toilets, water tankers to protesters at Azad Maidan

The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) has announced that it will provide amenities to the protesters at the kisan morcha being held on 11 and 12 March. 

The MCGM has decided to supply 40 seats mobile toilets, four water tankers, one stationary ambulance and extra manpower for cleanliness in and around Azad Maidan. 

All pay and use toilets near Azad Maidan and Mantralaya have also been instructed to give free services for the next two days.

NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad, NCP female wing state president Chitra Wagh join the farmers’ rally in Vikhroli

Rally reaches Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar in Ghatkopar

NCP leader Chitra Kishor Wagh extends support to the march

NCP leader Chitra Kishor Wagh says that whatever be the flag, the demands are the same — loan waiver and minimum support price. She added that NCP supports the protests 

Visuals of Aaditya Thackeray interacting with farmers in Mumbai  

Shiv Sena leader and Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray, MSRDC minister Eknath Shinde extend support to the farmers’ march

“All Shiv Sainiks, whether they are ministers, MPs, MLAs or local leaders, will try to remove your difficulties. You said ‘Lal Salaam to me.’ I say to you, ‘Jai Maharashtra.’ Whatever our (political) colour may be, we are people who are rooted to the ground. Our troubles are the same,” Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray said to the farmers.

“As kisans march to ensure the word given to them is kept by the BJP government. No charity, Kisans should get their due,” CPM leader Sitaram Yechury tweets about the farmers’ protests

“Shiv Sena is with farmers, not just in principle, but on ground as well. We stand by them,” says Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray 

Shiv Sena is with farmers, not just in principle, but on ground as well. We stand by them: Aditya Thackeray, Shiv Sena. #ProtectOurFarmers pic.twitter.com/74ibETSl3y

— News18 (@CNNnews18) March 11, 2018

Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray interacts with agitating farmers of the All India Kisan Sabha in Mumbai

News18 reports that the first round of talks with officials fail, the farmers’ leaders add that they did not hold any discussions

More visuals from the farmers protests in Mumbai

Cartoon by Manjul

Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Girish Mahajan after holding preliminary talks with the farmers

“The government will look into the demands and it will fulfil them. Officials have been called for a meeting tomorrow,” Girish Mahajan said to News18 after talks with the protesters. 

The govt will look into the demands and govt will fulfil the demands. Officials have been called for a meeting tomorrow: Girish Mahajan, Maharashtra CM’s representative. pic.twitter.com/Nd6EXFN8XY

— News18 (@CNNnews18) March 11, 2018

Farmers protests to continue on Monday despite talks with govt 

AIKS state general secretary Ajit Nawale said that the farmers’ march and protests will continue on Monday even as a delegation will meet the Maharashtra government. 

Nawale added that the agitators will halt at Somaiya Ground in Ghatkopar on Sunday night and resume protests at 9 am. Their route during the protests will take them from Ghatkopar to Sion, then to Dadar and Byculla, after which they will take the protest to JJ Flyover and end agitations at CST.

Farmers’ delegation to meet govt on Monday morning 

Maharashtra chief minister’s representative Girish Mahajan spoke to AIKS state general secretary Ajit Nawale on Sunday afternoon and offered him an invitation to talk to the govt. After the talks, it has been decided that a delegation of farmers, lead by Nawale Dr Ashok Dhawale and a dozen other prominent farmers leaders will meet the govt after 10 am.

Raj Thackeray to meet protesting farmers at 5 pm today, reports News18

Agitators say they are open to talks, but will be more cautious about promises made by the govt

Agitating farmers said to CNN News18 that they are open to dialogue with the govt, but they were upset by the fact that no emissaries sent to listen to their demands for six days. They added that they were relieved that the govt paid heed to them once they reached Mumbai.

The All India Kisan Sabha said that it would involve itself in talks positively. But they say that they will be more cautious this time, hoping that there will be more concrete solutions to farmer’s issues, unlikely last year when the loan waiver was announced but the promises haven’t been delivered.

The Maharashtra farmers’ march in numbers 

Over 30,000 farmers launched a protest march agitating against the failure of the BJP-led government to address agrarian distress entered Mumbai. The march, led by All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) — a peasants front of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), was launched from Nashik on Tuesday.

The 180-km long foot march was started with the participation of about 12,000 farmers and the number has reached to 30,000 now, which showed the intensity of discontent among farmers, AIKS state general secretary Ajit Nawale said.

As a stream of people flowing in to join the march, the number of protesters will go up to 55,000- 60,000 figure when it will reach the destination, Nawale added. 

Complete loan waiver and profit of 1.5 times input cost for all major agriculture commodities are the major demands of the AIKS. The agitating farmers are also demanding compensation of Rs 40,000 per acre for the destruction of crops due to hailstorm and pink-worm, allocation of forest land under cultivation to farmers and implementation of Forest Rights Act. 

In June last year, similar protests had boiled over most parts of the state, forcing the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led government to announce a conditional Rs 34,000 crore loan waiver, which farmers said has not been implemented properly.  —IANS

All India Kisan Sabha to protest outside Maharashtra legislative assembly on Monday 

The farmers from All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), who are participating in the march, are slated to will stage a protest outside the state legislative assembly in Mumbai on 12 March, demanding fair remuneration and loan waiver.

These farmers will seek an answer from the government for the non- implementation of the demands that were promised by the government, Ajit Nawale, state general secretary of AIKS, said to IANS.

“Farmers in the state are reeling under the ripples of agrarian distress and they are under huge financial burden. The government has not done anything to provide them any relief. So they are left with no option but to express their anguish through the protest march,” Nawale added.

Maharashtra farmers’ march in Mumbai 

All India Kisan Sabha’s protest march crosses the Thane Mulund check naka to reach Mumbai, ANI reports. Over 30,000 farmers are heading to Mumbai, demanding a complete loan waiver among other demands.

Kisan March reaches Vikhroli

Daughters of farmers who committed suicide extend support to rally

When the long march entered Shahpur on day three, the daughters of 25 farmers who committed suicide extended a heartwarming welcome to the rally. They expressed solidarity and the march continued.

The government says it will look into the demands of the farmers 

Girish Mahajan, chief minister’s representative and water resources and irrigation minister said on Sunday that the state government will look into the demands of the farmers. He said that the chief minister will definitely fulfil the demands. “The chief minister has called a meeting of government officials on Monday. The government will try to solve the impasse. We want this issue to be resolved,” Mahajan said.

Farmers demand transfer of forest land 

The protesting farmers are demanding transfer of forest land that they have been cultivating since generations in their name. They are also protesting against forceful acquisition of farm lands for development projects, said Xinhua . Farmers’ organisations have been demanding compensation for crop damage.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray to meet farmers today 

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray will meet farmers participating in the Kisan Sabha long march on Sunday around 5 pm at Somaiyya ground. On Monday, around 9 am the farmers will start towards Azad Maidan. All major political parties, except BJP, have extended their support to the Kisan Sabha long march.

Bombay High Court bans protests in the vicinity of Mantralaya​

Even though the Bombay High Court has banned protests and morchas in the vicinity of Mantralaya, the Maharashtra government has asked Mumbai Police and law enforcement agencies to let them enter the city unhindered, according to The Tribune .

Ashok Chavan asks Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to accept farmers’ demands 

State ministers set to visit farmer leaders 

Some of the ministers are set to meet the leaders of the march. If the talks don’t go well, it remains to be seen how Devendra Fadnavis government reacts to the march. Farmers are determined to encircle the state Assembly. Whereas police would probably be deployed to keep them away. Monday remains critical.

12:55 PM (IST)

Protesting farmers leave work behind, participate in march on their own expenses

There are cries on social media questioning the legitimacy of the march because it’s organised by Akhil bharatiya Kisan Sabha, farmers’ collective of the communist party of India. But the ones marching behind the Left leaders are ordinary farmers.

Farmers have left their work behind, carried food with them and are walking on their own expenses. Several of them are senior citizens. Some of them are bare feet. Some injured themselves on their way but that hasn’t stopped them.

12:49 PM (IST)

Nationalist Congress Party extends moral support for the march

Many political parties have extended their support to the farmers’ march seeing its political significance. NCP leader Dhananjay Munde is expected arrive in Mumbai on to support the long march.

12:31 PM (IST)

Horticulture cultivation reels in state as prices fall 

Farmers cultivating horticulture have participated because of the fall in price. Overall demands remain blanket loan waiver, enforcement of Swaminathan commission and pension for farmers.

12:13 PM (IST)

In view of the protests, Mumbai Police issues traffic advisory 

The Eastern Express Highway, southbound from Anandnagar toll plaza to the Somaiya ground, will remain closed on Monday for heavy and goods vehicles from 9 am to 11 pm, Mumbai Police said in its advisory. These vehicles will alternately be diverted via Kalwa, Airoli, Vashi Creek and Vitava. 

Read more about it here: 

12:03 PM (IST)

Losses due to bollworm forced farmers to join march 

The cotton farmers from Vidarbha and Marathwada have been hit by badly bollworm. Farmers who have lost lakhs of rupees because of it have joined the march.

12:00 PM (IST)

Some of the farmers taken to hospital after they fell unconscious

11:54 AM (IST)

Earlier today, the farmers’ march reached Thane’s Anand Nagar

11:50 AM (IST)

Mumbai Police collaborates with NGOs to provide protesting farmers water and medical facilities

Akhilesh Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police told The Hindu that adequate personnel have been deployed along the Eastern Express Highway, which the farmers will be using on Sunday morning to march to Sion. The police has also asked several companies of the State Reserve Police Force and Riot Control Police to be on standby.

11:39 AM (IST)

Visuals of protesting farmers gathered in Thane on Saturday night

11:34 AM (IST)

Most of the farmers are wearing red caps and holding up red flags with the sickle and hammer symbol

11:27 AM (IST)

Farmers demand proper implementation of state government’s schemes

The demands and priorities of the farmers vary from region to region. The ones from Nasik are mainly from the tribal belt, who do not own the farmland in spite of tilling it for generations. Their land comes under forest department, they feel they’re at their mercy.

11:18 AM (IST)

Farmers from across Maharashtra join the march 

When the march began from Nasik – 170 km from Mumbai – the farmers participating were mainly from Nasik. As the days have progressed, the crowd has diversified with farmers from every region participating.

11:16 AM (IST)

​Shiv Sena extends support to the farmers’ ’long march’

The Shiv Sena has extended support to the farmers’ ’long march’ currently underway against the BJP government, organisers said on Saturday. Ajit Nawale of the All India Kisan Sabha, which has organised the march, told PTI that senior Shiv Sena leader and PWD minister Eknath Shinde met protesting long march leaders when it entered Thane on Saturday.

11:11 AM (IST)

Elaborate security and traffic arrangements in Mumbai 

Mumbai Police has made elaborate security and traffic arrangements for Sunday as well as Monday. The march, on Saturday, caused massive snarls on roads connecting Thane and Mumbai to Nashik on Saturday, according to The Times of India .

11:06 AM (IST)

Over 35,000 farmers leave from Thane 

The Kisan long march has entered its 6th day on Sunday. 35000 farmers have left from Thane. Around 15000 more are likely to join them on Sunday.. They will be spending the night at Somaiya ground in Chunabhatti. They plan to encircle the Assembly on Monday.

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