Amid COVID rise, farmers’ stir in Maharashtra to take backseat

Farmers during a sit-in protest at Azad Maidan in January. File pic

The farmers' protests against the Centre's contentious farming legislations, which had gained huge momentum in Maharashtra over the past two months, may see a scaling down of demonstrations amid the resurgence of COVID-19 cases and the implementation of partial lockdown in rural Maharashtra.

Although protests had been taking place in Mumbai recently, the epicentre remains rural Maharashtra. Calls for multiple agitations and protests had been given for the last week of February by the All India Kisan Sabha's Maharashtra unit.

Dr Ashok Dhawale, AIKS president, said: "The agitations will take a backseat to some extent. The protests and agitations were going well up until February 18. But now with a rise in the number of COVID cases, agitations will be held in some places but not on such a big scale." He added, "Permissions have not been given for the mahapanchayat in Yavatmal. It may be difficult to have one in the state. But the Parliament is resuming in March, so during that period some major agitation calls will be given."

He concluded: "The Modi government won't submit with an agitation. It's all right, it's a passing phase. COVID numbers will slowly come under control. But the farmer's movement cannot afford to lose momentum."

‘Negative impact on protests'

Activist Feroze Mithiborwala from Hum Bharat Ke Log, said: "The rising COVID cases will have a negative impact on the farmers' protests. But the movement will go ahead in some way."

He added, "The RT-PCR system is essentially flawed. Cases are rising now because March 1 onwards, the vaccination drive will open up for everyone and the only way to make people take the vaccine is through fear. How come there is no Coronavirus in Gujarat or Bengal or on the borders of Delhi? Does Coronavirus recognise state borders and function within their jurisdiction?"