VBA stages 'black Diwali' protests across Maharashtra, eats chutney-roti for drought-hit farmers

Even as Diwali lights up homes, farmers and ordinary people in Maharashtra are battling drought. The Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) says the help farmers are getting from the state government is not enough. The party has launched a "black Diwali" agitation across the state over the issue.

Party office-bearers and workers registered their protest against the state government's policies by eating chutney and roti and observing a black Diwali. Slogans such as "Devendra-Narendra eat ghee, farmers go hungry" were also raised.

In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the VBA held a protest in front of the collector's office. Workers alleged that drought-hit farmers are not getting help, and protested against the government by eating chutney and roti. The demonstrators demanded that the government give serious attention to the problems of farmers and farm labourers.

In Jalna too, farmers and VBA office-bearers gathered together in front of the collector's office and began the black Diwali agitation. In Buldhana, too, anger at the government's policies was expressed in front of the collector's office by eating chutney and roti.

State president Rajendra Pator was present at the protest in Akola. Office-bearers and workers took part in large numbers to draw the government's attention to farmers' concerns.

A protest was also held in front of the collector's office in Solapur. The agitators demanded that the government take firm decisions to give relief to farmers in drought-like conditions.

The VBA's main demands are: immediate financial assistance for drought-hit farmers, compensation for crop losses, and a special aid package for farmers and farm labourers.

By putting farmers' concerns at the centre of the Diwali festival, the party has sought to draw the government's attention through protests across the state.