More than 30000 farmers who reached Mumbai as part of their protest march, which began from Nashik five days ago and covered the entire distance by foot and had started talks with the Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis today.
However, it has now been reported that the Maharashtra farmers have called off strike after the government agreed to give written assurances that it would address their grievances within the next two months.
Maharashtra Irrigation Minister Girish Mahajan said, "We've had a positive meeting with farmers in which all their demands were discussed. They made around 12-13 demands out of which we've accepted some while rest were not acceptable due to technical issues. We will be giving them a written draft of it. I think they're satisfied with our decisions."
The meeting between the farmers and the CM had commenced at 2pm in the assembly as 8 members from the farmers' group decided to meet the CM.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi extended his support to the farmers while criticising the CM and the PM while stating that both should leave their egos aside and be ready to solve the distress of the farmers.
Meanwhile CM Fadnavis said that he will consider all the issues of farmers and tribes as well when the issue was raised in the assembly by the opposition.
The farmers had camped at the Somaiya maidan in Sion on Sunday night and continued their protest to the Azad Maidan in CST from 2am. They opted for an early departure in order to avoid any traffic chaos for the students who are appearing for their board exams.
The farmers had been sitting at the Azad Maidan as multiple people extended their support to the farmers. Tight security had been imposed in the city for the last two days to make sure that the protest wouldn’t disrupt the daily schedules of the public.
Several political parties have publicly announced their support for the protest which had been organised under the banner of All India Kisan Sabha.
The farmers had staged the protest to ensure exact support price for crops, increase compensation, implement forest rights, hike agricultural pension, implement M S Swaminathan report at the earliest and many more such demands.
The farmers had demanded that all their requirements should be considered and put into action before the end of March. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had announced a debt support scheme of Rs 34000 when the farmers began their intense protests earlier. But the agricultural organisations allege that the government failed to deliver the assurances.
According to the Crime Records Bureau, 60000 farmers have ended their life from 1995 to 2013 and that has urged organisations to protest against the government and ensure the well-being of the farmers.
