Thousands of Maharashtra Farmers Begin Historic Vehicle March to Delhi

Nasik: "We are not scared of the cold in Delhi. The laws introduced by the Modi government are more dangerous (than the winter). We will sit on the road and eat on the road but, we won't return until these laws are scrapped," said Manik Awaghade, from Maharashtra’s Satara, who had gathered at the golf course ground in Nasik to participate in the farmers march to Delhi beginning from December 21.

"This is not the struggle of only Punjab and Haryana farmers. It is for all of India and its farmers. Today we are starting our march from here. Soon, thousands of other farmers from across India will reach the gates of Delhi,” he told NewsClick.

More than 40 farmers’ and agricultural workers’ organisations are jointly taking part in the farmers’ movement in Maharashtra. As part of the ongoing movement, these unions have arranged for thousands of farmers and agri workers to participate in the vehicle march to Delhi. Once they reach, they will protests along with the farmers from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

"This is a battle for the economic independence of majority of India. Farmers consist nearly 65% of Indians and the Modi government is trying to hand over their only source of income to the government’s capitalist friends. This won't be allowed to happen and farmers have decided to oppose till the laws are withdrawn," said Ashok Dhawale, president of All India Kisan Sabha. 

On Monday, farmers mainly from Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Western Maharashtra, Ahmednagar and Marathwada gathered in Nasik, where Communist Party of India (Marxist) MP KK Raghesh flagged off the march. From the golf ground, they reached Chandwad in the same district to stay for the night. Hundreds of vehicles including jeeps, tempo and buses left in rows from Nasik.

Also read: Widespread Support in Maharashtra for Farmers’ Protest in Delhi

On Tuesday, farmers from Jalgaon, Dhule, Nandurbar and Vidarbha region will reach Dhule city and join the march. This entire group of farmers will then cross Maharashtra border on the morning of December 23 and are expected to reach the borders of the national capital on the evening of December 24.

Marching with his fellow farmers, Santosh Kamdi from Manor, Palghar, 38, is going to Delhi for the first time. "I had never thought I would one day go to Delhi. But this government has left no other option for us. It has forced us to fight for our future," he told NewsClick.

Meanwhile, the historic protest by farmers against the farm laws at the borders of the national capital have crossed 25 days. However, the Union government seems to be busy playing tricks rather than trying to arrive at a negotiation with the farmers.