Thousands of farmers have gathered in Mumbai in a show of support for the protesting farmers at the Delhi border. More than 15,000 farmers from across 21 districts in Maharashtra started ‘vehicle-march’ on Sunday to begin their three-day sit-in protest at Azad Maidan in Mumbai. The protesting farmers have gathered under the banner of All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) and demanding the repeal of three farm laws.
"The march is in support of the historic two-month long farmers' agitation in Delhi, and we also demand a total repeal of the three farm laws imposed by the Bharatiya Janata Party government at the Centre, and other related issues," said AIKS national president Dr Ashok Dhawale.
The rally in Maharashtra is part of the call given by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which is leading the Delhi protesters, to intensify the agitation and have given a nationwide call for struggle from January 23 to 26.
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Farmers will hold a public meeting on Monday, with top leaders from AIKS, SKM, and the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi government all set to address the crowd at the iconic Azad maiden. Thereafter, the huge rally will march to the Raj Bhawan and submit a memorandum to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari demanding revocation of the three farm laws.
The other demands include enacting a central law guaranteeing MSP and procurement, withdrawal of the Electricity Amendment Bill, repealing the four Labour Codes, vesting all forest, pasture, and temple lands in the names of the tillers, and resuming implementation of the loan waiver scheme in Maharashtra suspended duo to the Corona pandemic.
The agitation will conclude on Republic Day with a flag hoisting ceremony and a pledge to make the struggle of farmers victorious.
Sharad Pawar, Aditiya Thackeray to address the rally
NCP chief Sharad Pawar, who has expressed his support to agitating farmers, will address the rally at Azad Maidan in the afternoon. He will be joined by Tourism and Environment Minister Aditiya Thackeray, Maharashtra Congress president Balasaheb Thorat and other Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders to address the mega farmers rally on Monday.
(With inputs from IANS)
