Setting the stage for a massive show of strength in Mumbai on Monday in support of the farmers agitating on the outskirts of the national Capital to demand the repeal of three farm laws, more than 15,000 farmers — marching through the stretch of Kasara Ghat on foot — congregated at the historic Azad Maidan in south Mumbai on Sunday.
Farmers from as many as 21 districts of Maharashtra, who had arrived at the Kasara Ghat by vehicles from their homes, covered by foot the 7-km-long stretch of the Kasara Ghat which joins Nashik and Thane districts.
The marching farmers were followed along the Kasara Ghat by hundreds and thousands in their vehicles.
The Kasara Ghat march and the vehicle jatha were spearheaded by the national president of All India Kisan Sabha (AKIS) Dr Ashok Dhawale, State president Kisan Gujar and State general secretary Dr Ajit Nawale.
After the jatha entered Mumbai at the Mulund Check Naka, the farmers were accorded a rousing reception at the Kannamwar Nagar at Vikhroli in north-east Mumbai by hundreds of activists of the CPI(M), CITU, DYFI and AIDWA in Mumbai, led by party CCM Mahendra Singh.
The farmers then proceeded towards the Azad Maidan in south Mumbai.
The AKIS has organised a mammoth public rally at Azad Maidan from 11 am to 2 pm, which will be addressed by top leaders of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), AIKS national general secretary Hannan Mollah and by leaders of Left and democratic parties and organisations.
After that, the farmers will take out a 50,000-strong rally to Raj Bhavan where they will submit a memorandum to Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, demanding the repeal of three controversial farm laws.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar, State Congress president and Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat and Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray’s son and State Protocol Minister Aditya Thackeray will participate in the march to the Raj Bhavan.
The farmers’ agitation will conclude on the morning of Republic Day on Tuesday, with the national flag hoisting, singing of the national anthem. The farmers will take a pledge on the occasion to make the ongoing agitation of farmers and workers a success come what may.
Earlier, CITU-affiliated factory workers from Igatpuri and Shahapur talukas welcomed the farmers en route to Mumbai by showering flowers on them.
Similarly at the Kalyan-Bhiwandi crossroad, the CPI(M) Thane urban committee, DYFI and Amrut Vela Gurudwara welcomed and provided thousands of food packets to marching farmers.
Earlier on Saturday, nearly 1,500 farmers owing allegiance to the AIKS had left from Nashik in 90-odd vehicles from Nashik to take part in the Vehicle march to Mumbai.
The rally is part of the call given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which is spearheading the protests in Delhi, to intensify and broaden the struggle from January 23 to 6. More farmers are expected to join the rally in Mumbai.
Talking to media persons, Dr Dhawale said, “This march is being organised to support the two month-old farmers agitation in the national for the repeal of the three farm laws and for a central law to guarantee a remunerative MSP and procurement all over the country”.
“Our main demands are that the three anti-farmer, anti-people and pro-corporate farm laws be repealed. We want enactment of a central law guaranteeing remunerative MSP and procurement,” Dr Dhawale said.
“We are also seeking the withdrawal the Electricity Amendment Bill, repeal the four Labour Codes, vest all forest, temple and pasture lands etc in the names of the tillers, and resume the implementation of the Mahatma Phule Loan Waiver Scheme for farmers, which had been suspended due to the Covid pandemic,” Dhawale said.