Jalna, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Monday said his Dussehra rally will highlight farmers’ woes amid drought in Maharashtra and will not be a platform for political mudslinging.
“Farmers’ distress and Maharashtra’s agricultural crisis will be the focus of my address, not political mudslinging. He also welcomed state minister Pankaja Munde’s announcement of adopting his native Antarwali Sarati village, the epicentre of the Maratha quota stir in the state. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on October 14 that an initial relief of ₹ 5,000 will be deposited directly into farmers’ bank accounts ahead of Diwali, a move that comes after over 85 per cent of talukas in Maharashtra were declared drought-hit.
Amid extensive crop damage, mounting financial losses and water shortages, farmers must not take the extreme step of suicide,” he said. Jarange said farmers were struggling with poor prices for agricultural produce, dried-up wells and damaged crops, while shortages of fodder and drinking water had compounded their difficulties. Addressing a press conference here, Jarange said his rally will take place in Narayangad on Tuesday.
“Regardless of caste or religion, a farmer’s first identity is that of someone devoted to the soil. We will face this crisis together and fight to secure our rights and the assistance we deserve from the government,” Jarange added. He also criticised the Devendra Fadnavis government’s announcement of providing ₹ 5000 as advance to farmers ahead of Diwali, saying the relief amount was inadequate.
