The hunger strike led by Prahar Sanghatana President Bacchu Kadu has entered its fifth consecutive day, with no resolution in sight. Kadu launched the indefinite fast to press for 17 key demands, most notably a complete loan waiver for farmers across Maharashtra.
The protest is being held at Gurukunj Mozari in the Amravati district, where Kadu has remained resolute despite a noticeable deterioration in his health. Medical professionals attending to him have reportedly advised medication, which he has refused in a display of unwavering commitment to his cause.
Concerns are rising as reports confirm that Kadu has lost approximately four kilograms since beginning his fast. Despite visible physical weakness, he has refused both treatment and nutrition. The government is said to be in talks with Kadu through Amravati District Collector Ashish Yerekar, but no breakthrough has been achieved thus far.
The hunger strike has gained momentum across the region, with plans for supporting agitations in Tivasa, Nandgaon, Chandurbazar, and Achalpur in Amravati district. In a dramatic turn, 60 activists fasting alongside Kadu have pledged not to consume water, further intensifying the protest’s urgency and visibility.
Prominent political and social figures, including Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana leader Raju Shetty, and MLA Rohit Pawar, are expected to visit the protest site today in solidarity. Adding to the emotional appeal of the movement, Kadu’s son Deva is also set to join the hunger strike starting today.
In another act of defiant symbolism, farmers plan to donate blood at the protest site to show their support for Kadu’s demands. The protest is increasingly becoming a focal point of agrarian resistance in the region, highlighting long-standing grievances of the farming community.