Political parties and farmer groups protested near Mantralaya in south Mumbai, seeking urgent assistance for mango and cashew growers from the Konkan region. The protesters, including State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal, were halted by the police as they marched towards Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ official residence, Varsha Bungalow. Criticizing the government’s actions, Sapkal vowed to persist until substantial relief reaches the farmers in Konkan.
A planned protest march from Girgaum Chowpatty to Varsha Bungalow aimed to secure significant aid for mango and cashew farmers in Konkan. However, before the march commenced, police detained numerous activists near Mantralaya, including prominent figures like former MP Raju Shetty and Congress state President Harshwardhan Sapkal. Some individuals were taken to the Dongri Police Station, while others were relocated to Azad Maidan.
During the event, Sapkal highlighted the Congress party’s official support for the farmers’ cause. He emphasized that the government had been forewarned about the consequences of neglecting farmers’ demands, leading to the organized protest on May 15. Sapkal criticized the government’s suppression of democratic values by obstructing legitimate protests and marches.
The demands put forth by the protesters included compensation of Rs 5 lakh per hectare for mango farmers and Rs 3 lakh per hectare for cashew farmers. Former MP Raju Shetty condemned the state government for its indifference towards mango and cashew farmers in the Konkan region, urging immediate financial assistance. Meanwhile, Sapkal expressed concerns over the escalating prices of petrol, diesel, and Compressed Natural Gas, exacerbating the financial strain on citizens already grappling with inflation.
