Maharashtra is witnessing a surge in farmer unrest as the ongoing ‘Maha-Elgar Morcha’ led by former minister Bacchu Kadu continues to block the Nagpur-Hyderabad National Highway (NH-44). The agitation, backed by the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), Kisan Sabha, and Raju Shetty’s party, has brought traffic to a standstill, amplifying demands for a complete farm loan waiver, immediate compensation for unseasonal rain damage, Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, and a Rs 6,000 monthly allowance for the disabled.
Kadu has issued an ultimatum to the state government, insisting on talks in Nagpur and rejecting invitations from several ministers to hold discussions in Mumbai. The protest, he said, would continue until concrete assurances are provided.
The agitation stems from widespread agricultural distress across Maharashtra following massive crop losses due to unseasonal rains. In Latur, farmer Suresh Chauhan broke down in tears after his harvested soybean crop was destroyed by two days of heavy rainfall and floodwater. He lamented that the delayed disbursement of financial aid had left many families unable to celebrate Diwali.
Tensions also flared in Parbhani, where farmers demanding loan waivers and compensation reportedly pelted stones at the District Collector’s car, leading to one arrest.
Reacting to the developments, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government remains “positive” and has initiated the transfer of a Rs 32,000 crore relief package for affected farmers. He appealed to the protestors to avoid disrupting public life and to accept the government’s invitation for dialogue, emphasising that resolving the crisis requires discussion and cooperation.
“The priority right now is to get relief money to farmers whose lands have been swept away, not just to announce loan waivers that only benefit banks,” Fadnavis said.
According to preliminary assessments, the unseasonal rains have impacted nearly 29 districts, devastating over 68 lakh hectares of crops.
With the local body elections approaching, the state government faces mounting pressure to address the escalating agrarian crisis and restore stability in the rural heartland.
– Ends
Published By:
Harshita Das
Published On:
Oct 30, 2025
Tune In
