Rohit Pawar Ends Hunger Strike After Maharashtra Government Promises Farm Loan Talks
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar has suspended his hunger strike after the Maharashtra government promised to hold formal talks regarding his demands for a comprehensive farm loan waiver. A high-level meeting with the Chief Minister is scheduled before June 22 to address farmers' grievances.
Highlights
- •NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar ended his hunger strike following government assurances.
- •Minister Girish Mahajan promised a high-level meeting with CM Devendra Fadnavis.
- •The protest demands a comprehensive farm loan waiver without restrictive eligibility criteria.
- •Pawar cautioned that a larger agitation will occur in Marathwada if demands are unmet.
Rohit Pawar, a representative from the NCP (SP), has officially concluded his hunger strike following an assurance from the state government regarding crucial farm loan waiver demands. The protest, which had gathered significant attention, was put on hold after Maharashtra Cabinet minister Girish Mahajan intervened to initiate a dialogue between the administration and the protesting party.
Minister Girish Mahajan visited the site of the hunger strike on a Sunday evening to engage directly with Rohit Pawar. During these discussions, the minister promised that the government would facilitate a formal meeting involving Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Finance Department Secretary, and MITRA CEO Praveen Pardeshi. This meeting is expected to take place before June 22, aiming to address the farmers' grievances ahead of the upcoming monsoon session.
Addressing Farmer Demands Through Dialogue
The core of the agitation centered on a farm loan waiver, with protesters expressing concerns over the restrictive eligibility criteria currently attached to the state’s debt relief program. Rohit Pawar had initiated his fast on the preceding Friday, supported by 26 dedicated followers, to advocate for a more inclusive and comprehensive relief package for distressed agriculturists. The government’s recent debt relief scheme, approved on June 2, was projected to benefit 56 lakh farmers with a budget of Rs 36,585 crore, but concerns remain regarding its practical reach and conditions.
Minister Girish Mahajan emphasized that the current administration maintains a positive and sensitive stance toward the challenges faced by farmers. He expressed confidence that these issues could be resolved through constructive talks rather than continued agitation. By encouraging the suspension of the fast, the minister sought to ensure that all parties could sit down to hammer out a viable solution that benefits the state’s agrarian community.
While accepting the proposal for discussion, Rohit Pawar made it clear that his decision to end the fast was a temporary pause rather than a total withdrawal. He has established a committee consisting of senior political representatives and key farmer leaders to spearhead the upcoming negotiations. However, Rohit Pawar warned that if the state government fails to take decisive and concrete action on the stated demands during these discussions, the agricultural community is prepared to launch a more expansive protest movement across the Marathwada region.
This development marks a critical juncture for both the government and the farming sector, as all eyes now turn toward the promised meeting to see if a consensus can be reached regarding the farm loan waiver and broader agricultural policy adjustments in Maharashtra.
