Thousands of farmers from across Maharashtra are gathering in Mumbai for an agitation against the three Central farm laws, in solidarity with the farmers protesting at Delhi borders.
Farmers from 21 districts gathered at Nashik on Saturday and began a march to cover the 180 kilometers to state capital Mumbai. Sea of farmers – many of whom were waving flags and carrying banners – snaking their way through the roads of the Kasara Ghat region between the two cities.
The farmers have converged under the banner of Samyukta Shetkari Kamgar Morcha (SSKM), supported by other social and political organisations.
Around 15,000 farmers gathered at the Golf club maidan at Nashik on Saturday before marching to Ghatandevi near Igatpuri. On Sunday they started to march to Mumbai.
SSKM convenor Ashok Dhawale said the agitation was an attempt to expand the two-month-old fight against the farm laws. “We will organise sit-in protests at Azad Maidan. On Monday, we will organise a ‘morcha’ to Raj Bhavan which will be attended by top leaders like Sharad Pawar, Aaditya Thackeray, and Balasaheb Thorat,” said Dhawale.
Members of labour unions and political parties such as the Congress, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Shiv Sena, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), and Communist parties will also join the farmers’ morcha.
Less than two weeks ago Pawar referred to the protesters – particularly those who have braved winter chills to remain camped out around Delhi since November – and warned of “consequences”.
Last month he issued a similar warning and said the centre should not test farmers’ patience.
The protest in Mumbai comes a day ahead of the Delhi Police’s decision to grant permission to the farmers to hold a tractor rally on January 26 in the national capital.
Over a thousand tractors are expected to take part in the rally along Ring Road (which encircles the city). Farmers have claimed that they hav got the permission and are just seeking a nod on the route to hold the ‘Tractor Rally’.
Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at several border points of Delhi since November 28 last year, demanding a repeal of these laws.
Multiple rounds of talks between the government and farmer unions have failed to break the impasse so far, while the Supreme Court has appointed a panel for resolution.
