Mumbai : Days after state BJP President Raosaheb Danve made derogatory remarks against farmers, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday faced black flags from Youth Congress workers during his official visit to Osmanabad in Marathwad region to inspect ongoing work of Jalyukta Shivar Yojana, his pet project on water conservation.
When the chief minister arrived at Pardi village, Youth Congress workers assembled and waved black flags in protest against Danve’s derogatory remarks.
Police resorted to baton charge to disperse the protesters who condemned the act, terming it as ‘dictatorial attitude’ of the Fadnavis government.
Earlier this week, Danve said the Fadnavis-led government had taken a slew of steps to tackle farmers’ crisis, especially on the row over procurement of tur dal. Danve then blamed the farmers of being critical of the chief minister despite the good work. Moreover, the state BJP chief reportedly used a Marathi expletive against the farmers.
During their demonstration, the Youth Congress workers, led by their president Umesh Raje Nimbalkar, also demanded a waiver on farm loans. Nimbalkar and five other workers were detained, police said.
Congress leaders also slammed the BJP-led government over the police action against their party workers. In a statement, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Ashok Chavan said the using of such brutal police force reflected on the “dictatorial attitude” of the Fadnavis government.
Chavan accused the police in Jalna of putting in jail children of farmers who participated in the protest.
“This is an undeclared emergency, wherein the police has used force to quell a democratic protest. This is nothing but an attempt to silence those speaking against the BJP and its government,” the former chief minister said.
In Jalna, Veer Bhagatsingh Vidyarthi Parishad, a local youth organisation also staged demonstration against Danve by draping a saree to his poster and spat on it. The youth also garlanded shoes on Danve’s photograph. Some youth workers who participated in the protest were detained.
earlier this week, Maharashtra state BJP President Raosaheb Danve said the Fadnavis-led government had taken a slew of steps to tackle farmers’ crisis, especially on the row over procurement of tur dal. Danve then blamed the farmers of being critical of the chief minister despite the good work. Moreover, the state BJP chief reportedly used a Marathi expletive against the farmers. Danve has since apologised to the farmers particularly for using foul words.
