Farmers Return to Mumbai: A Protest Against Broken Promises and Corporate Policies
In a significant resurgence of agrarian unrest, thousands of farmers under the banner of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the All India Kisan Sabha have embarked on a long march from Nashik to Mumbai. This mobilization marks the latest chapter in an ongoing struggle that began eight years ago with the iconic Kisan Long March of 2018. According to CPI(M) Polit Bureau member and AIKS national president Dr Ashok Dhawale, the current protest is a direct response to what he describes as "promises made but nothing implemented" by the government.
The Legacy of Unfulfilled Assurances
Dr Ashok Dhawale, in an exclusive interview, highlighted that the core grievance driving this march is the non-implementation of assurances given after the 2018 protest. "It has been eight years since thousands of farmers marched to Mumbai and a slew of promises were made to them," he stated. "In retrospect, a large chunk of those assurances remains unfulfilled. The same Chief Minister has been in power, yet basic commitments given to farmers and tribal communities have not been honored."
Key unaddressed issues include:
- Redressal of pending claims under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, with land titles not being issued to actual cultivators in many parts of Maharashtra.
- Failure to implement a promise to divert water from west-flowing rivers to drought-prone regions like Nashik, which was made in 2018 to persuade farmers to withdraw their march.
- Lack of real execution on the ground, despite repeated assurances over the years.
New Policies and Corporate Interests
Beyond the old promises, Dr Dhawale pointed to several new policies that he argues are detrimental to farmers and ordinary citizens. "Over the last few years, several new policies have been introduced that will seriously affect the lives of ordinary citizens," he explained. These include:
- Privatization of electricity and the introduction of smart meters, which he claims are being pushed in the name of development but serve corporate interests.
- Aggressive land acquisition for infrastructure projects like highways and the Wadhwan port, often without properly applying the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
- Compensation not being paid in many cases, with contractors allegedly favored over affected families.
"Corporate interests are expanding at the cost of ordinary people and their land and livelihoods," Dr Dhawale emphasized, citing projects like the Shaktipeeth Highway as unnecessary yet taking fertile agricultural land from farmers.
Weakening of MNREGA and Its Impact
A critical concern raised is the effective weakening of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), now replaced by VB-G RAM G. Dr Dhawale noted that the Centre has reduced its share of expenditure from 80% to 60%, placing a heavier burden on state governments. "How can state governments bear 40% of the cost? This is completely unrealistic," he questioned.
The practical consequences are severe:
- People are receiving only about 42 days of work instead of the guaranteed 100 days.
- Lakhs of manual workers have not received their wages.
- Most states, already financially stressed, will find it difficult to run the scheme under the new funding pattern.
Decentralized Protests for Broader Participation
Explaining the strategy behind the current agitation, Dr Dhawale highlighted the CPI(M)'s approach of decentralized protests across Maharashtra, including marches in Palghar and Nashik, rather than a single state-level march. "It is not feasible for farmers from Palghar to participate in a protest in Nashik and vice versa," he said. "Decentralized marches enable local involvement and broader participation. That is the approach we will continue to follow in the coming period."
This tactic aims to mobilize farmers from various regions, addressing localized issues while building a unified movement against what they perceive as systemic neglect and pro-corporate policies. The march from Nashik to Mumbai symbolizes a renewed demand for accountability and justice, echoing the unresolved cries from eight years ago.
As farmers tread the familiar path to Mumbai, their protest underscores a deepening agrarian crisis, where promises remain on paper and policies increasingly alienate those who feed the nation. The government's response to this latest mobilization will be closely watched, as it could set the tone for future farmer-state relations in Maharashtra and beyond.
