Mumbai- On November 8, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) workers and farmers across Maharashtra observed ‘Black Diwali’ by eating simple chutney and bhakri outside district collector and sub-divisional offices. The protest was held to highlight the state government’s failure to provide relief to drought-hit farmers and agricultural labourers.

From Mumbai, Hingoli, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Yavatmal, Latur, Pune, Sangli, Malegaon (Nashik), Beed, Raigad, Osmanabad, Jalna, Ahmednagar and Aurangabad, party activists and farmers gathered in large numbers. At several places, protesters set up temporary chulhas, kneaded flour on the spot, prepared fresh bhakri and ate it with plain chutney under the party banner. The symbolic act was meant to show the contrast between the hardships of drought-affected farmers and the government’s alleged indifference.

Protesters repeatedly raised the slogan: “Farmers go hungry while the government gorges on ghee.”

The Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi protested by celebrating a "Black Diwali" with chutney and bhakri in Mumbai, attended by party officials, activists and citizens, against the state government, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister and the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, calling for the Chief Minister to step down for failing to help farmers amid a severe drought that has left them facing a bleak Diwali.

Various demands were made at the event, including that the government provide immediate assistance to farmers whose crops have been destroyed by fire, guarantee minimum support prices for their produce, and provide direct financial aid rather than merely conducting damage assessments.

Key Demands

• Immediate financial assistance for drought-affected farmers

• Compensation for crop losses

• Substantial monetary help for farmers and agricultural labourers

• In Sangli, State President Rajendra Patode specifically demanded that the government give ₹1 lakh each to students, farmers, farm labourers and ordinary workers

In Nagpur, national executive member Adv. Sujata Waldekar participated. In Malegaon, state executive member Jitratna Patait was present. In Latur, Marathwada General Secretary Santosh Suryavanshi, corporator Amol Landge and several district office-bearers joined the protest. Similar large gatherings were reported from Yavatmal, Hingoli, Chandrapur, Pune and Sangli.

After the statewide programme, Rajendra Patode and State General Secretary Prof. Somnath Salunke issued a joint statement congratulating all workers. They said the agitation had forced the Chief Minister and other ministers to publicly show concern by visiting farmers’ homes. Calling it the first phase of the struggle, they warned that if the government fails to announce concrete drought relief measures, the party will organise sit-in protests outside the residences of BJP MLAs, MPs, ministers and office-bearers. Patode said, the government should give ₹1 lakh each to students, farmers, farm laborers and ordinary workers.

The party has appealed to its cadres to maintain unity and continue the agitation until farmers receive proper assistance.