AIKS Maharashtra Holds Statewide Land Rights Convention

Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad): In a powerful show of unity and resolve, the Maharashtra unit of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) held a Statewide Land Rights Convention at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, giving a resounding call for statewide mass protests on 1 June. The protests will take place at district and tehsil centres across Maharashtra, focusing on urgent land-related demands.
The Convention, held in the historic Krantisinh Nana Patil Hall—named after the former AIKS National President and leader of the Satara Parallel Government (1943–46)—saw the participation of over 500 delegates from 18 districts, including a significant number of women. Sambhajinagar, the capital of the Marathwada region, was chosen strategically due to its central location in Maharashtra.

Deletegates attending land rights convention

The convention demanded immediate action on critical issues such as the vesting of lakhs of acres of forest, temple trust, inaam, pasture, and other lands in the names of actual tillers, and an end to arbitrary and unjust land acquisition by the BJP -led central and state governments for unnecessary highways and elitist infrastructure projects.
The event began with flag-hoisting by AIKS National President Dr Ashok Dhawale, followed by floral tributes to martyrs and a condolence message for the civilians killed in recent terror attacks in Pahalgam and subsequent cross-border shelling.
AIKS National General Secretary Vijoo Krishnan inaugurated the convention and presented a detailed national perspective on land rights. He strongly criticised the ongoing corporate land grab, calling it a dangerous conspiracy backed by the government. Krishnan also invoked AIKS’s historic anti-feudal land struggles and called for resistance to today’s neoliberal policies.
The main resolution, outlining AIKS Maharashtra’s key land demands, was presented by State General Secretary Dr Ajit Nawale and seconded by State President Umesh Deshmukh. Printed copies were distributed among all delegates.
Speakers drew inspiration from Maharashtra's rich legacy of land struggles, including the Warli Adivasi Revolt (1945–47) and the iconic Kisan Long March from Nashik to Mumbai (2018). Fourteen grassroots delegates from across the state spoke passionately, sharing firsthand experiences of local land struggles. CPI M MLA Vinod Nikole of Dahanu (ST) pledged to raise these issues in the State Assembly and stand firmly with the farmers.

AIKS President Ashok Dhawale addresses the gathering during the Statewide Land Rights Convention at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

In his concluding address, Dr Ashok Dhawale offered a historical overview of land struggles in India and called for intensified resistance by poor peasants and agricultural workers. He condemned the growing influence of domestic and foreign corporates in land acquisition and criticised the Modi government's anti-farmer trade deals being negotiated with the UK, EU, and USA.
A new AIKS Maharashtra booklet, documenting the speeches and resolutions of the recent Statewide Women Farmers Convention held in Nashik, was released during the event by women delegates.
The Convention concluded with a vote of thanks to the AIKS Sambhajinagar unit, led by Adv Bhagwan Bhojane and Dr Bhausaheb Zirpe, for their excellent arrangements, made possible with support from CITU, MSMRA, SFI, and DYFI.
With a united call to action and a rich legacy of struggle behind them, AIKS Maharashtra now prepares for the June 1 mass mobilisations—set to amplify the voice of Maharashtra’s tillers and demand justice on the land front.