 "Sharad Joshi")
Key lieutenants of the late Sharad Joshi, leader of the Shetkari Sanghatana, have launched a new farmers' movement called 'Kisanputra Andolan'.
The movement, which held its first meeting at Ambajogai in drought-affected Beed district recently, will launch a 47-day long 'bedi todo' (break the shackles) motorcycle rally in Maharashtra from August 15 to October 2, "to highlight the plight of farmers".
The rally will traverse through Nagpur, Amravati, Akola, Jalna, Aurangabad, Ahmednagar and Nashik, said its leaders Amar Habib and Achyut Gangne.
"We appeal to children of farmers to spare at least three days to participate in the rally, which is for a just cause," Habib and Gangane, who worked with Joshi since the early days of the Sanghatna, said.
"The 'Kisanputra Andolan' has been formed to take forward the battle waged under Joshi's leadership," Gangane said.
"New parties assume power but the government's anti-farmer policies don't change," Habib alleged, adding legislation on land acquisition, ceiling and essential commodities have been made in a way which is detrimental to farmers' interests.
"We have also started a relief fund for farmers widows. The objective is to render financial aid to families of farmers who have committed suicide," Habib said.
