'Promises were made, but nothing was fulfilled': why farmers are marching to Mumbai again

The CPI(M) has launched a long march of thousands of farmers from Nashik to Mumbai to protest non-implementation of assurances given after the 2018 Long Kisan March and against policies it says favor corporate interests.

Dr Ashok Dhawale, Politburo member of CPI(M) and national president of All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), speaks to The Indian Express about the reasons behind the party’s march and decentralized agitations across Maharashtra.

Q: What is the reason for undertaking this farmers’ march from Nashik to Mumbai?

Ashok Dhawale: It has been eight years since the iconic Long Kisan March, when thousands of farmers marched to Mumbai and were made a host of promises. In retrospect, a large part of those guarantees remain unfulfilled. For the past eight years there have been no actual executions on the ground. The Chief Minister himself has been in power, but the basic commitments made to farmers and tribal communities have not been fulfilled.

There has been no redress of outstanding claims under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. Title deeds should be issued in the names of those actually cultivating forest land, but this has not happened in many parts of the state.

We had also demanded that water from west-flowing rivers be diverted to drought-prone regions like Nashik. A promise to this effect was made in 2018 when we were asked to withdraw the march, but it has also not been implemented.

Q: Are these your main demands?

Ashok Dhawale: Non-implementation of earlier promises is a major problem. But in recent years, several new policies have been introduced that will severely affect the lives of ordinary citizens. In the name of development, the privatization of electricity, the introduction of smart meters and the aggressive acquisition of land are promoted.

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In reality, these measures are intended to serve the business lobby. Corporate interests are expanding at the expense of ordinary people and their lands and livelihoods.

Q: How has MNREGA been affected?

Ashok Dhawale: MNREGA (now replaced by VB-G RAM G) has been effectively weakened. The Center has reduced its expenditure ratio from 80 per cent to 60 per cent. How can state governments bear 40 per cent of the cost? This is completely unrealistic.

In practice, people receive only about 42 days of work instead of the guaranteed 100 days. Thousands of manual workers have not received their salaries. Under the new funding pattern, most states, which are already in financial distress, will find it difficult to implement the plan.

Q: What about acquiring land for infrastructure projects?

Ashok Dhawale: Land is being acquired for roads and Wadhwan port without properly implementing the provisions of the LARR Act, 2013. In many cases no compensation is paid. Projects like Shaktipeeth Expressway are unnecessary, but farmers are being taken away from fertile agricultural land. In several cases, contractors are favored over affected families.

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Question: CPI(M) organized a march in Palghar, followed by another in Nashik. Why did you choose decentralized protests instead of a single statewide march?

Ashok Dhawale: It is not feasible for Palghar farmers to participate in a protest in Nashik and vice versa. Decentralized marches allow for local participation and broader participation. That is the approach we will follow in the coming period.

Zeeshan Shaikh is the associate editor heading The Indian Express’s Mumbai reporting team. He is recognized for his highly specialized expertise in analyzing the complex dynamics of Maharashtra politics and critical minority issues, providing in-depth, nuanced and reliable reporting. Experience Senior Editorial Role: As Associate Editor leading the Mumbai reporting team, Zeeshan Shaikh holds a position of significant journalistic authority and responsibility at a leading national newspaper. Core Specialization: Its reporting focuses intensely on two interconnected and high-impact areas: Maharashtra Politics and Urban Power Structures: Provides in-depth analyzes of political strategies, municipal elections (e.g. BMC polls), history of alliances (e.g. Shiv Sena’s shifting partners) and changing demographics influencing civic power in Mumbai. Minority Issues and Socio-Political Trends: Excels in covering the representation of the Muslim community in power, demographic changes, socio-economic challenges and the historical context of sensitive political and cultural issues (e.g. the roots of the ‘Vande Mataram’ debate in the BMC). Depth of research: His articles frequently delve into the historical roots and contemporary consequences of major events, ranging from the rise of extremist groups in specific villages (e.g. Borivali-Padgha) to the long-term collapse of established political parties (e.g. Congress in Mumbai). Data-Driven Analysis for Reliability and Credibility: Zeeshan’s work often incorporates empirical data, such as National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics on arrests and convictions of minorities, or data on the growth of politicians’ assets, grounding his reports in factual evidence. Focus on hinterland issues: While based in Mumbai, he maintains a broad perspective covering issues affecting the hinterland, including water crises, infrastructure delays, and the plight of marginalized communities (e.g. manual scavengers). Institutional affiliation: His senior position at The Indian Express, a publication known for its tradition of rigorous investigative and political journalism, underlines the high level of editorial research and the reliability of its reporting. He tweets @zeeshansahafi… Read more

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‘Promises were made, but nothing was fulfilled’: why farmers are marching to Mumbai again

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