Don't treat farmers like beggars, say associations; warn of hunger strike

TIRUCHY: The state government must end the practice of treating farmers as recipients of charity and instead make an announcement in the current Assembly session, fulfilling the poll promise of crop loan waiver without any compromise; otherwise, farmers from various associations would converge in Chennai and commence an indefinite hunger strike from September 1, said Easan Murugesan, the founder of Tamil Nadu Farmers Protection Association here on Thursday.

In a meeting on the next course of action on crop loan waiver held in Tiruchy, representatives from over 15 associations, including Tamil Nadu Farmers Protection Association, Uzhavar Urimai Iyakkam, Desiya Thennindhiya Nadhigal Inaippu Sangam, Cauvery-Vaigai-Gundar irrigation farmers association, Tamilaga Vivasayigal Sangam, Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, Vaigai Vivasayigal Sangam and International Social Workers Council, took part, in which the leaders proposed intensifying the protest against the government. They have decided to hold the protest in Chennai from September 1 while the assembly session is under way.

Speaking to reporters, Easan Murugesan said, “The crop loan has been revised three times, disappointing farmers every single time. While the government has an adequate fund to purchase new cars for the legislators and provides Rs 1 lakh for its expenses, it refuses a crop loan waiver, citing fund crunch. This government does not care about the farmers."

He noted that farmers have been demanding the government to scrap schemes that are useful for corporates but not farmers. “We understand a few officials are misguiding the Chief Minister, C Joseph Vijay, and we condemn their attitude. The protest will be held at Rajarathinam Stadium in Egmore. We will never leave Chennai until the crop loan waiver as per the poll promise is announced," Murugesan said.

He also said that at least 50 farmers from various associations would be on an indefinite hunger strike while 2000 farmers would take part in the peaceful protest each day. “Even if the government does not permit us to stage a protest at the specific place, we will approach the court and get permission. We need the loan waiver announcement by this assembly session itself; otherwise, we would decide on the further course of action," he said.

Noting that as many as eight ministers assured them of fulfilling the poll promise when they protested in Chennai on August 7, he said, but they cheated the farmers.