VBA stages 'black Diwali' protest outside Chandrapur collector's office over drought

The Chandrapur unit of the Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi (VBA) held a "Black Diwali" protest in front of the district collector's office in Chandrapur on Sunday, November 8, 2026. The demonstration took place on Diwali. The Aaghadi said its aim was to draw the state government's attention to the drought.

According to Aaghadi office-bearers, farmers, farm labourers and workers are getting no concrete help from the government. District and city office-bearers, farmers and ordinary citizens took part in the protest.

The Aaghadi held the protest to draw the government's attention to the severe drought in Maharashtra and the growing hardship of farmers, farm labourers, workers and working people. It said several districts of the state received very little rain, causing heavy damage to farming. According to it, many parts of Marathwada and Vidarbha are in the grip of drought.

The Aaghadi said farmers and ordinary people are distressed by the shortage of drinking water, the question of fodder for animals, crop losses and the crisis facing the village economy.

The Aaghadi alleged that even in such conditions the state government is not giving concrete help to farmers and working people. It said the government is misleading people by announcing only token relief. According to the Aaghadi, the waiving of examination fees for students is announced, but no concrete support is given to construction workers, painters, contract workers and workers in the unorganised sector. It also said that with no employment in villages, many families have been left facing hunger.

Against this background, the Chandrapur unit of the Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi had announced the "Black Diwali" protest against what it called the government's anti-people and insensitive policies.

Those present at the protest included Nagpur district in-charge and former state executive member Kushal Meshram, former district president Snehdeep Khobragade, Mahila Aaghadi district president Kavita Gaurkar, Mahila Aaghadi city president Tanuja Raipure and Yuva Aaghadi district president Shubham Mandpe. District general secretaries Madhukar Urade, Leeladhar Vanjari and Dr Amit Nagrale, and former city president Bandu Thengre also attended.

Others who attended included Prof. Nitin Ramteke, Dr Pragyasheel Sahare, Adv. Akshay Lohkare, Subhashchandra Dolne, Subhash Thorat, Monali Patil, Alka Motghare, Kishor Raipure, Narayan Kamble, Dharmveer Garadkar, D.M. Ramteke and Praful Khobragade, along with many other office-bearers. Large numbers of district, taluka and city office-bearers, workers, well-wishers, farmers and citizens were also present.