Neither Tamil Nadu government nor central government is bothered about the farmers protest in capital while they host foreign visitors posing a smile. No wonder the country is side-lined in the international arena. A courtesy visit may have ended the protest. Still I do not understand what Tamil Nadu MLA and MP’s are doing. The CM does not care what the farmers undergo in Delhi and MP’s leader from Tamil Nadu is talking about HIV in Lok sabha and did not mention about farmers plight in Delhi. I wonder, where those actors and actresses of Tamil film industry have gone, who were protesting on streets for Jallikkattu? Where are those student unities – student power that spend nights on Marina beach? Meanwhile TN politicians are fighting for power whereas there was no answer to the state’s farmers’ plight. Is it not the sole responsibility of TN Govt? Voters in the state have happily sold their votes and they are responsible for the present situation.
Tamil Nadu farmers protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for drought-relief funds and waiver of loans drank their own urine, with the government doing little to heed their demands. It has been going for 40 days. They are deeply distressed by the fact that despite agitating for almost 6 weeks, their genuine demands have not been addressed. From holding skull protest, walking naked, eating off the roads, holding mock funerals, wearing sarees, breaking bangles and cutting off mangalsutras, Tamil Nadu farmers have resorted to all forms of protests to draw the Centre’s attention towards their plight. But the government has turned a blind eye towards their demands. No one has time to even meet them or ask them about their grievances. During election campaign Modiji was so much worried about Jawans and Kisans of this country, he always attacked UPA government for neglecting core issues related to them. But ever since BJP came to power they a turned blind eye towards this issue and has proven to be worse than the earlier government.
Several farmers from India from various states have committed suicide in the wake of the drought crisis. These demonstrations symbolise the plight of our women. Every farmer who commits suicide leaves behind a widow and the central government should take note of this and do the needful. We are boasting on every front leaving the crucial issue aside. For BJP it is only politics and they do not care about these people in Delhi. The state government should take initiative waive farm loans and adjust it with the money they get from centre or the TASMAC.
The farmers have been protesting at the venue for over a month expecting to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They were demanding total waiver of their agricultural loans. A group of Tamil Nadu farmers stripped near the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), demanding that their agricultural loans be waived and the Centre take up their cause. The group of farmers earlier submitted a memorandum at the PMO. They were on their way back when some of them suddenly stripped and blocked traffic at Raisina Hill. They were immediately removed from the area. The farmers, who have been protesting at the Jantar Mantar since March 14, said they would intensify their stir if a positive view of their problem was not taken soon.
In India no matter how BIG our constitutional Book is after all it is only you and only you that should take care of your family. Don’t ever take loans from anyone. Loans are meant for to take control over poors. Government is really not bothered of your plight and pain. Promises on loan waiving should not be just for winning elections and for particular states. If the case is genuine the centre should look into matters of the other states without power dynamics. What happened to the money deposited after demonetization? We always talk about cooperative federalism then why we are not able to waive off loan of these farmers whose condition is similar to farmers of Uttar Pradesh. We are giving grants to many countries of the world and also taking grants from World Bank and many development authorities of the world, then why are we not trying to eradicate problems of these farmers? The farmers have been demanding a drought relief package of ₹40,000 crore, farm loan waiver and setting up of a Cauvery Management Board by the Centre. Last week, five Tamil Nadu farmers, including a woman, cut their palms, saying the Union government should wake up to their plight at least now.
Some farmers suffered a severe heat stroke and were taken to a hospital. They were treated for dehydration and dysentery. While four of them were discharged the same day, one is still undergoing treatment. Earlier the Madras High Court had directed state government to expand its farm loan waiver scheme to include farmers who own land over five acres. However, there is no relief for those who have borrowed from nationalised banks. The state had sought Rs. 40,000 crore from the centre, which sanctioned only Rs. 4,000 crore. With 60 per cent deficit in rainfall, Tamil Nadu witnessed its worst drought in 140 years. Hope some government, state or in centre takes this issue seriously and renders help.
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