In Mumbai, over 30,000 farmers came walking in this scorching heat. They walked over 180 km and reached Mumbai on Sunday. They have a couple of demands which includes waiving off the loan. The farmers have gathered in Sion in Somaiya Ground.

The important things you should know about this event is:
1. The government had promised the farmers saying that they would meet their demands. But the farmers’ leader said that they would still continue with the protest at Vidhan Bhavan.

2. The farmers have demanded that the load should be completely waived off. They want benefits in agricultural production as well.

3. The number of protesters that have come, is around 34,000, according to the organizers. Thousands of farmers will join from Mumbai today.

4. The police in Mumbai have made an extensive security and traffic arrangements for Sunday and Monday as well. The citizens of Mumbai might face some problems and inconvenience in the morcha route. HSC, SSC, CBSE, ICSE and ISC exams are also going on. “There are currently no instructions but students must take care to leave earlier than usual depending on the situation on Monday morning,” said Subhash Borse, in charge secretary of the state board’s Mumbai division.

image source

The highlights are:

• The farmers will march to Vidhan Bhavan today.
• They want a complete load waiver.
• There are 34,000 protestors who have come.

image source

The All India Kisan Sabhi which is leading the rally said that there are thousands of farmers who were accompanied by their wives and parents.

Ajit Nawale from the All India Kisan Sabha said, “Why would they (farmers) suffer such a long and winding journey on foot if their causes weren’t genuine?”

Shiv Sena who is a partner in the state government and the MNS have also lent support to the rally. A senior Sena leader Eknath Shinde met the protestors in Shahpur on behalf of Uddhav Thackery.

In 2017, Maharashtra government had announced a loan waiver of plus Rs 4,000 crore under the first phase of the farm loan waiver scheme.

Published by Minal Gupta on 12 Mar 2018