LAKHS OF FARMERS PROTEST ON AUGUST 14 IN MAHARASHTRA

On August 14, lakhs of farmers came out on the streets throughout Maharashtra in hundreds of centres and blocked the national and state highways for hours together, as per the clarion call given by the Coordination Committee of Farmers' Organisations. They were demanding an immediate implementation of the complete loan waiver assurance given by the BJP state government on June 11, but which was betrayed within a fortnight. They were also demanding remunerative price for their crops at one and a half times the cost of production. Apart from these two fundamental demands, the other main issues highlighted were opposition to the bogus crop insurance scheme announced by the PM, to forced land acquisition for various projects and to the ban on the cattle trade. Pension for peasants and agricultural workers, waiving of electricity bills and increased irrigation facilities were the other major demands. The AIKS played a very major role in the mobilisation all over the state. The SFI and DYFI led an independent campaign in support of the fighting peasants and organised independent actions today, which included an educational bandh in some districts. The AIDWA, AIAWU and CITU also mobilised well in some districts. By a happy coincidence, the day of the peasant struggle, August 14, was the 111th birth anniversary of the legendary leader of the historic Adivasi Revolt in Thane district and former AIKS national president Comrade Godavari Parulekar.