Maharashtra Farmer Loan Waiver Demand: Rohit Pawar Hunger Strike Enters Day 3, June 14

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Rohit Pawar began a hunger strike on June 12 in Pandharpur demanding complete farm loan waiver up to Rs 2 lakh without conditions and effective crop insurance implementation. The protest entered its third day on June 14 with no signs of stopping. Congress party announced support, with state president Harshvardhan Sapkal joining the fast. The movement has intensified political debate over Maharashtra’s agricultural debt crisis and government loan waiver policies.

Pawar’s Core Demands and Resolve

Rohit Pawar demands unconditional farm loan waiver up to Rs 2 lakh for all farmers and effective implementation of crop insurance schemes. He stated he will not leave the protest site until the government makes positive decisions on these demands. Pawar’s father Rajendra Pawar visited the protest site and expressed emotional support, saying he raised his son to fight for farmer justice.

Growing Political and Farmer Support

Congress party officially backed the protest, with state president Harshvardhan Sapkal criticizing the BJP government’s loan waiver as deceptive. All India Kisan Sabha state secretary Dr. Ajit Nawale endorsed Pawar’s demands as legitimate. Young farmers at the site displayed their debt certificates showing how government conditions harm their ability to access relief.

Government’s Existing Loan Waiver Scheme

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar Farmers’ Loan Waiver Scheme in the 2026-27 budget. The scheme waives crop loans up to Rs 2 lakh per farmer outstanding as of September 3, 2025. However, Pawar and opposition parties argue the scheme contains restrictive conditions that exclude many farmers from receiving relief.

Opposition Dismisses Protest as Political Theater

BJP and Mahayuti leaders including MLAs Sadabhau Khot and Gopichand Padalkar called the hunger strike a political stunt. They argue the government has already announced loan waiver benefits in the budget. The dispute reflects deeper disagreement over whether existing schemes adequately address farmer debt or require stricter conditions to prevent misuse.

Final Thoughts

Pawar’s hunger strike exposes a core disagreement over farm relief: opposition wants unconditional waiver while government maintains conditions. With Congress backing and farmer organizations rallying, pressure on Maharashtra’s government will likely intensify.

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