Former Minister and Prahar Party leader Bacchu Kadu has issued a stern warning, threatening to halt train services in Nagpur on Wednesday as farmer protests, which he is leading, enter their second day. The demonstration centers on the crucial issue of farmer loan waivers.
Kadu directed sharp criticism at the Maharashtra state government, emphasizing that if the state lacks the funds to waive farm loans, the central government should step in to provide assistance. “Now we will stop trains after 12 noon… Our farmers are drowning in debt. If the state government doesn’t have the money, the central government should help,” Kadu stated in a report.
Unconditional Loan Waivers Demanded
On Tuesday, Bacchu Kadu openly criticized the Maharashtra state government, demanding immediate and unconditional loan waivers for farmers struggling with debt. He led thousands of farmers to Nagpur for a protest, which included blocking the Nagpur-Hyderabad National Highway (NH-44).
Protesters voiced grievances that despite government assurances, adequate relief has not been provided to the farming community, which has been severely impacted by drought conditions.
Kadu elaborated on the farmers’ plight, citing the inadequacy of compensation offered for crops like soybeans and the absence of a comprehensive price support system, unlike schemes implemented in neighboring Madhya Pradesh. He highlighted the Chief Minister’s unavailability to meet with farmers, further fueling their frustration. “The demand for debt relief will remain. Right now, there are 1-1.5 lakh farmers. Another one lakh will come tomorrow,” he added, indicating the growing scale of the movement.
Earlier in the month, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had announced a relief package totaling ₹31,628 crore for farmers affected by unseasonal rains. The state government also committed to providing ₹10,000 in cash relief to affected farmers. Chief Minister Fadnavis had noted that over 68 lakh hectares of crops were damaged due to heavy rains and floods across 29 districts in Maharashtra.