4,000 farmers from 4 districts protest on highway:Major outcry in Dhar as they demand loan waiver, asking why industrialists’ debt forgiven but not theirs

Farmers from five districts will protest under the banner of Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangh at the toll plaza in Khalghat, Dhar district, on Monday, regarding their demands. Farmer leaders will stage a protest at Khalghat from the morning. In view of this, an advisory has also been issued by the police. Under this, large vehicles will not be allowed to enter Khalghat. Blockades and surveillance will be increased on all main routes. Additionally, Manawar SDM Pramod Gurjar has issued prohibitory orders within a 500-meter radius on both sides of the toll plaza (NH-52). Earlier, on Saturday, the government had called farmer leaders for talks. Representatives from Dhar, Barwani, Khargone, and Khandwa districts had met Agriculture Minister Edal Singh Kansana in Bhopal. Farmer representatives remained firm on their demands, including MSP for crops and debt relief. Following this, farmers decided to protest. Meeting with Agriculture Minister was inconclusive The meeting between the representatives of the Mahasangh and Agriculture Minister Kansana in Bhopal remained inconclusive. Farmer representatives remained firm on their demands, including Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops and debt relief. During this discussion on Saturday afternoon, the Agriculture Minister urged farmers not to agitate. He assured that their problems would be resolved and that he would convey their demands to Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav. The minister had requested to postpone the agitation, citing a wedding at the CM’s house. However, the farmers refused and decided to go ahead with the protest. Allegation – Collusion with companies, exploitation of farmers Madhya Bharat Prant Sangathan In-charge Gopal Patidar (Khargone), Kailash Patidar, and Shankar Jat alleged that farmers are being exploited due to collusion with companies. They stated that crops like maize, soybean, and cotton are not being purchased at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Farmers said that if debt relief and MSP are implemented, they will stop the agitation. Demand to declare Gomata as Rashtra Mata also made Farmers put forward several demands such as MSP for crops, fair compensation for land acquisition like in other states, making all farmers debt-free, and enacting a law guaranteeing MSP. Additionally, demands included granting ‘Gomata’ (cow) the status of ‘Rashtra Mata’ (Mother of the Nation) and banning the import of pulses, cotton, and onions. Since these demands at the central level could not be agreed upon, the decision to protest was taken.