Prahar Sanghatana president Bacchu Kadu has once again taken a confrontational stand against the state government, warning officials not to “make us do something” due to their inaction on promises made earlier. After suspending a 7-day hunger strike in Gurukunj Mozari following government assurances, Kadu has now declared fresh protest movements, citing the lack of follow-through on key issues.
Despite the government’s verbal commitments, Kadu claims no substantial action has been taken since the hunger strike ended. “The government cannot simply make promises and walk away. If they don’t act, they should be ready for our next steps,” said Kadu, clearly indicating that his agitation is far from over.
Bacchu Kadu has announced two major protest programs:
A 138-kilometer foot march from Papal Village (the hometown of Punjabrao Deshmukh, India’s first Agriculture Minister) to Chikhalgavhan, beginning July 5, demanding loan waivers and an end to forced loan recovery.
A 'Sindoor Yatra' from Ramtek to Deeksha Bhoomi in Nagpur, scheduled from August 5 to August 9, to draw attention to the plight of farmers and the need for agrarian reforms.
Kadu also launched a scathing attack on the ruling BJP-led government, particularly targeting Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He alleged that over 1,000 farmers have committed suicide during Fadnavis’ six-month tenure, calling it a tragic and shameful statistic. “This is not a small number—it shows the deep distress in the farming community,” he said.
Kadu's demands include:
Immediate loan waivers for farmers,
A stop to aggressive loan recovery by banks and financial institutions,
Better implementation of relief schemes for drought-affected and debt-ridden farmers.
As Bacchu Kadu prepares to hit the streets again, political observers are closely watching whether the government will act on its promises or risk a renewed wave of public protests from one of Maharashtra’s most vocal farmer leaders.