Mumbai: With the State government yet to roll out the farm loan waiver scheme and meet demands raised by the farming community, the steering committee spearheading farmer protests in the State said Ministers will not be allowed to hoist the national flag at district headquarters on Independence Day.
Committee convenor and All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) leader Ajit Nawale said, “The steering committee will launch another state-wide agitation. On August 14, farmers will hit the streets and will bring the State to a standstill. Guardian Ministers won’t be allowed to hoist the flag on August 15 in their respective districts. They have no moral right to do so as they have farmers’ blood on their hands. Our demands were not fulfilled, so we held a public awareness campaign in 24 districts over the last two months. The Maratha morcha too raised our issues, but the CM didn’t say a single word about our demands in the Assembly.”
Mr. Nawale said student and youth organisations too have decided to observe education strike on August 14 and will present Ministers with demands on August 15.
“Ministers are responsible for suicides. Anyone other than a Minister can hoist the flag,” said Raghunathdada Patil of the Shetkari Sanghatana. He alleged that unscrupulous elements were charging ₹1,000 illegally from farmers to fill loan waiver forms.
MLA Bacchu Kadu said he has been seeking answers in the Assembly, but found none. “We’re left with no option but to hit the streets. If the Chief Minister thinks he can suppress the agitation by using police force, he is mistaken. Even we don’t want to extend the agitation, and we appeal to Ministers to not hoist the flag on August 15.”
