AIKS Holds Massive Farmers' Rally in Mumbai, Raises Agrarian Demands

Mumbai: The Maharashtra State Committee of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) organised a massive statewide rally at Mumbai Azad Maidan on Tuesday, bringing together thousands of farmers to press for urgent action on key agrarian issues and oppose the proposed US-India trade deal.

The rally expressed solidarity with the ongoing protests by students and youth in Delhi, condemning what AIKS described as the BJP government's "savage repression" of demonstrators. In line with the nationwide call issued by AIKS and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), the gathering also opposed the proposed US-India trade agreement, calling it unfair and harmful to Indian farmers.

The farmers highlighted several long-pending demands, including a comprehensive farm loan waiver, ownership rights over temple trust lands, homestead lands and pasture lands, and adequate crop insurance compensation.

The protest was led by AIKS National President Dr Ashok Dhawale, former Maharashtra AIKS President and former MLA J P Gavit, State General Secretary Dr Ajit Nawale, State President Umesh Deshmukh and CITU Maharashtra State Secretary and MLA Vinod Nikole, along with other AIKS leaders.

Following the rally, an AIKS delegation was scheduled to meet Maharashtra government ministers and senior officials at Mantralaya. The delegation planned to submit a memorandum outlining the organisation's demands and seek discussions with the state government on resolving the issues raised by the protesting farmers.