CPI(M) Polit Bureau member and All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) national president Dr Ashok Dhawale speaks to The Indian Express about the reasons for the march and the party's decentralised agitations across Maharashtra.
The CPI(M) has launched a long march of thousands of farmers from Nashik to Mumbai to protest the non-implementation of assurances made after the 2018 Kisan Long March and against policies it says favour corporate interests.
CPI(M) Polit Bureau member and All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) national president Dr Ashok Dhawale speaks to The Indian Express about the reasons for the march and the party’s decentralised agitations across Maharashtra.
Q: What is the reason for undertaking this farmers’ march from Nashik to Mumbai?
Ashok Dhawale: It has been eight years since the iconic Kisan Long March, when thousands of farmers marched to Mumbai and a slew of promises were made to them. In retrospect, a large chunk of those assurances remains unfulfilled. For the last eight years, there has been no real execution on the ground. The same Chief Minister has been in power, yet basic commitments given to farmers and tribal communities have not been honoured.
Redressal of pending claims under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, has not taken place. Land titles should be issued in the names of those actually cultivating forest land, but this has not happened in many parts of the state.
We had also demanded that water from west-flowing rivers be diverted to drought-prone regions like Nashik. A promise to this effect was made in 2018 when we were asked to withdraw the march, but that too has not been implemented.
Q: Are these your main demands?
Ashok Dhawale: Non-implementation of earlier promises is a major issue. But over the last few years, several new policies have been introduced that will seriously affect the lives of ordinary citizens. Privatisation of electricity, the introduction of smart meters and aggressive land acquisition are being pushed in the name of development.
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In reality, these measures are aimed at serving the corporate lobby. Corporate interests are expanding at the cost of ordinary people and their land and livelihoods.
Q: How has MNREGA been affected?
Ashok Dhawale: MNREGA (now replaced by VB-G RAM G) has been effectively weakened. The Centre has reduced its share of expenditure from 80 per cent to 60 per cent. How can state governments bear 40 per cent of the cost? This is completely unrealistic.
In practice, people are getting only about 42 days of work instead of the guaranteed 100 days. Lakhs of manual workers have not received their wages. With the new funding pattern, most states, which are already financially stressed, will find it difficult to run the scheme.
Q: What about land acquisition for infrastructure projects?
Ashok Dhawale: Land is being acquired for highways and the Wadhwan port without properly applying the provisions of the LARR Act, 2013. Compensation is not being paid in many cases. Projects like the Shaktipeeth Highway are unnecessary, yet fertile agricultural land is being taken from farmers. In several instances, contractors are favoured over affected families.
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Q: The CPI(M) organised a march in Palghar, followed by one from Nashik. Why did you choose decentralised protests instead of a single state-level march?
Ashok Dhawale: It is not feasible for farmers from Palghar to participate in a protest in Nashik and vice versa. Decentralised marches enable local involvement and broader participation. That is the approach we will continue to follow in the coming period.
Zeeshan Shaikh is the Associate Editor who heads The Indian Express' Mumbai reporting team. He is recognized for his highly specialized Expertise in analyzing the complex dynamics of Maharashtra politics and critical minority issues, providing in-depth, nuanced, and Trustworthy reports.
Expertise
Senior Editorial Role: As an Associate Editor leading the Mumbai reporting team, Zeeshan Shaikh holds a position of significant Authority and journalistic responsibility at a leading national newspaper.
Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on two interconnected, high-impact areas:
Maharashtra Politics & Urban Power Structures: Provides deep-dive analyses into political strategies, municipal elections (e.g., BMC polls), the history of alliances (e.g., Shiv Sena's shifting partners), and the changing demographics that influence civic power in Mumbai.
Minority Issues and Socio-Political Trends: Excels in coverage of the Muslim community's representation in power, demographic shifts, socio-economic challenges, and the historical context of sensitive political and cultural issues (e.g., the 'Vande Mataram' debate's roots in the BMC).
Investigative Depth: His articles frequently delve into the historical roots and contemporary consequences of major events, ranging from the rise of extremist groups in specific villages (e.g., Borivali-Padgha) to the long-term collapse of established political parties (e.g., Congress in Mumbai).
Trustworthiness & Credibility
Data-Driven Analysis: Zeeshan's work often incorporates empirical data, such as National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics on arrests and convictions of minorities, or data on asset growth of politicians, grounding his reports in factual evidence.
Focus on Hinterland Issues: While based in Mumbai, he maintains a wide lens, covering issues affecting the state's hinterlands, including water crises, infrastructure delays, and the plight of marginalized communities (e.g., manual scavengers).
Institutional Affiliation: His senior position at The Indian Express—a publication known for its tradition of rigorous political and investigative journalism—underscores the high level of editorial vetting and Trustworthiness of his reports.
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