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Anna Hazare threatens to launch his "last protest" for farmers

Pune
December 28, 2020

Social activist Anna Hazare has threatened to go on a hunger strike if his demands on issues concerning farmers are not met by the Union Government by the end of January next year and said it would be his "last protest". Speaking to reporters in his Ralegaon Siddhi village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra on Sunday, Hazare said had been holding protests for cultivators since the last three years, but the Government has done nothing to resolve the issues.

"The Government is just giving empty promises due to which I do not have any trust left. Let's see, what action the Centre takes on my demands. They have sought time for a month, so I have given them time till January end. If my demands are not met, I will resume my huger strike protest. This would be my last protest," the 83 year old said.

On December 14, Hazare wrote a letter to Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar warning of a hunger strike if his demands like the implementation of the MS Swaminathan Committee's recommendations and granting autonomy to the Commission for Agricultural costs and prices, were not accepted.

Senior BJP leader and former Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagade recently met Anna Hazare to explain to him the details of the three farm laws introduced by the Centre.

Hazare observed a fast on December 8 in support of the Bharat Bandh called by Farmer organizations demanding a repeal of the agri laws.

Farmers have been protesting at borders of Delhi for over a month against the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 the Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.