“Farmers’ issues remained unresolved for the last 75 years. The agrarian crisis still exists. Nobody tried to solve the issues of farmers, which is unfortunate. I, along with Bachchu Kadu, will decide the future course of this farmers’ Andolan,” said Maratha reservation campaigner Manoj Jarange while talking to mediapersons at Nagpur on Thursday. Bachchu Kadu, accompanied by ex-MP Raju Shetty, CPI leader Ajit Nawale, ex-MLC Mahadeorao Jankar, and ex-MLA Wamanrao Chatap, started agitation two days ago. They launched the ‘Rasto Roko’ Andolan for the last two days on Wardha Road. On Wednesday night Jarange extended support to the agitation.

 

He came to Nagpur to express solidarity. Jarange made it clear that he has no experience of farmers’ agitation and issues either. “We need to wait till the talks between Kadu and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis are held. Depending on the outcome, the future course of action will be decided,” said Jarange. When asked whether he would support intensified stir, Jarange said, “We all have backed the agitation and will not act against Court’s order. We will wait for the Government’s stand and then decide the action.” Kadu admitted that Jarange’s support surely strengthened the agitation. He also made it clear that he expects Government to take steps in the interest of farmers.

 

The agitation has not ended yet, and if Government fails to fulfil the promise, then the farmers will have to agitate again. The demands of Kadu include farmers' loan waivers, guaranteed prices for farm produce, honorarium for the differently abled, and just rights for shepherds and fishermen. Kadu’s tractor rally – Maha Elgar Morcha – had started on Monday from Chandurbazar in Amravati district and reached the outskirts of Nagpur on Tuesday evening, where they were camping for two days.