The Centre’s decision to impose a ban on onion exports until March 31, 2024, has sparked widespread discontent among onion growers and traders in Maharashtra, the leading producer of this essential kitchen staple. In response to this move, veteran Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former Union Agricultural Minister, Sharad Pawar, took to the streets a day before his 83rd birthday.
Sharad Pawar’s Protest Ahead of His 83rd Birthday
In a symbolic act of solidarity with onion growers, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former Union Agricultural Minister, Sharad Pawar, participated in a rasta roko agitation at Chandwad in Nashik, a day before his 83rd birthday. Pawar condemned the Centre’s decision and demanded an immediate rollback of the ban on onion exports.
Centre’s Decision Sparks Outcry
Maharashtra, known for its onion production concentrated in Nashik, Dhule, Pune, Ahmednagar, and Solapur districts, witnessed a sharp reaction from farmers and traders. Pawar, recognizing the discontent among onion growers, urged the Centre to reconsider its decision, emphasizing that Nashik could set an example.
Pawar’s Critique and Call for Unity
Addressing the protest, Sharad Pawar criticized the Centre’s decision to ban onion exports and expressed solidarity with the farming community. Pawar stressed the need for farmers to unite and assert their rights, highlighting the essential role of agriculture in the country. He emphasized that the Centre must rectify its decision, claiming it disregards the hard work of farmers.
Political and Farmer Participation
The agitation saw active participation from various political parties, including the NCP, Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), CPM, and farmers’ organizations. Activists joined hands in staging a rasta roko, disrupting traffic on the Mumbai-Agra national highway. The protesters, starting from the Chandwad Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC), converged on the highway to voice their dissent against the onion export ban.
Pawar’s Call for Rectification
Sharad Pawar, despite expressing his reluctance to engage in rasta roko protests, highlighted the necessity of awakening the central government to the concerns of farmers. He insisted that the Centre must rectify its decision, recognizing the impact on farmers’ livelihoods.
As the agitation unfolds in Nashik, the onion export ban remains a contentious issue, stirring conversations around the challenges faced by farmers and the role of government policies in shaping agricultural practices. Pawar’s proactive involvement adds political weight to the farmers’ cause, setting the stage for broader discussions on the agricultural landscape in Maharashtra.
