THOUSANDS OF FARMERS LED BY AIKS IN MAHARASHTRA FLAY NEW BJP GOVT AT CENTRE AND BJP-SENA GOVT IN STATE ON BURNING PEASANT ISSUES

At the statewide call of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) Maharashtra State Council, thousands of peasants came on to the streets in several districts on June 1, just two days after the newly elected BJP regime at the Centre took office. The statewide protests flayed the State Government of the BJP-Shiv Sena for its betrayal of promises given to farmers on issues of drought relief, loan waiver, fair prices, land rights, ration, pension and other local issues. June 1 marked the second anniversary of the historic 11-day statewide farmers strike in Maharashtra that began on June 1, 2017.

The largest mobilisation of 10,000 peasants was in 8 tehsils of Thane-Palghar districts, followed by impressive rallies at Akole in Ahmednagar district, Kinwat in Nanded district, Solapur and several other centres in the state. Demonstrations and dharnas took place in all the 8 districts of Marathwada region, which is the worst affected by drought. Memorandums were given to govt officials, who were forced to concede several local demands.