Food, footwear, treatment, water: Mumbai's 'thank you' gifts for farmers
What's the story
'If you ate today, thank a farmer,' the saying goes, and Mumbai followed. Residents came together and distributed food, footwear, treatment, water and other necessities to the thousands of agitating farmers, who braved the sweltering heat, thirst, hunger and feet blisters for their demands. As they painted the city red, Mumbaikars came out to stand in solidarity.
Twitter Post
Residents showering flowers in Mulund
Mumbaikars showering the #KisanLongMarch with flowers from a walkway near Mulund. pic.twitter.com/YaURtZ5oNq
— AIKS (@KisanSabha) March 11, 2018
Volunteers
Dabbawalas, Sikh groups, volunteers and individuals: All come together
To help the farmers, several groups distributed food and water to them, including Mumbai's famous dabbawalas, Sikh groups and others. Locals along the Nashik-Mumbai highway kept refilling a food truck accompanying the agitators. Muslim traders waited all night near Bhindi Bazar to provide food and water to the agitators. While doctors treated them for free, volunteers called for footwear donations for the suffering farmers.
Twitter Post
Sikh groups distributing food to farmers
Sikh community in Mumbai distributes food to farmers participating in the march. #KisanLongMarch pic.twitter.com/AqAGoluCu9
— AIKS (@KisanSabha) March 11, 2018
Politics
Railway ministry arranges special trains for farmers
Most political parties too came out in their support, including the opposition, BJP's ally Shiv Sena as well as RSS. The Congress, NCP and the MNS, all extended their support. MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Sena's Aaditya Thackeray met them a day before. Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said special trains have been arranged for the agitating farmers.
Information
Farmers call off agitation after government accepts demands
The farmers called off their agitation yesterday after the government gave assurance that their demands, including the transfer of forest lands under the Forest Rights Act, 2006 within six months, would be met.