Political Padyatra, Suicides and Media

By Alka Dhupkar

The auto-taxi strike supported by Shivsena was declared on Thursday, which left me wondering how to get to the airport at 4am for the 5.55 AM flight. I know I could have booked an Ola or Uber but I am a bit old fashioned. I prefer Kali Pili. I picked up a torch and started exploring with bare luggage on my back. When most of the Mumbai is sleeping, stray dogs are awake, leaving me petrified. I finally got a cab at the signal. But he refused to run on meter. My rush forced me to concede and we mutually decided an amount. Reached on time at airport. But the kiosks that help you to get boarding passes were not working, which left me stranded in a queue. 

I Landed in Nagpur and started journey towards Shahapur, in Amravati district at around 7 30am. Posters welcoming Rahul Gandhi had occupied the vicinity of the airport. After a few kilometres from airport, we encountered a series of potholes not allowing us to increase our speed. I wish Rahul Gandhi or Ashok Chavan had taken this route! It is unimaginable to travel on daily basis through suck bumpy roads. Can a Mumbaikar envision a deluge of potholes on the Western or Eastern expressway? No we can't imagine. We have become used to the concept of polished roads merely in cities. Rural areas deserve to be spotty because a high profile leader rarely travels through them.

Cutting the distance, we reached Dhamngaon. We picked up Aaloo Bhonda (Batata vada) and Samosa to eat from a shop (Tapari). Then we accelerated and rushed to old Dhamngaon, Shahapur. At the railway gate, two girls were begging for food and money. We didn't oblige. I am still wondering whether we should have. Those were not migrants but minor girls from Pardhi community. Acche din have yet to arrive in their lives.

Therefore, upon entering the area I thought that no one could bring justice to families where farmers have committed suicide. In Amravati division alone, which includes five districts of Vidarbha, 297 farmers have committed suicide since January this year. But only 131 of them declared eligible by government for rehabilitation and further assistance. 69 were rejected saying ineligible and 97 cases are still under scrutiny of government. If we go back to 2000, in Amravati division10,086 farmers committed suicide and only 4,010 were declared eligible. In entire 11 districts of Vidarbha region from January to April 2015, 512 Suicides have happened, claims Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti, In Maharashtra from January to April 2015, 1160 farmers committed suicide. So if we count, since 1995 to 2015 in Maharashtra 64,520 farmers have ended their lives. 

Before this trip, I was in Amravati in 2011, to understand and cover farmers’ suicide issue for a regional television channel (IBN LOKMAT). I learnt how relief package given by then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had eaten up by corruption. From irrigation to livestock distribution, everything was goofed up. In 2006 Dr Manmohan Singh himself had visited this area. Had a dialogue with farmers, experts and family members. Appealed to them not end the life and assured the government support. 

Today on 30th April 2015 situation has only worsened. Narendra Modi government came to power 11 months back, but Congress led government ruled the State and at national level for 15 long years. Rahul may be blaming Modi for farmer’s quagmire but they actually aftershocks of UPA's bad government & governance. The agrarian crisis did not start overnight. Since 15 years all parties have failed to bring relief to the growing crisis on field. But, keeping aside my homework and analysis I focused on the ground.

Police with pistol on wrest belt was standing at a corner. People with flowers garland in hand and curiosity on faces gathered in every nook and corner. It looked festive. Roads were blocked at few points by SPG and maharashtra police for security reasons. Poor cycle riders, bike riders were stopped by police. People eagerly waited for almost an hour. Meanwhile police completed garland checks that were about to embrace Rahul. Considering the threats to Rahul Gandhi in such public events, police were not ready to take any risk. Some of the locals felt this was rude and insulting to farmers but there was no compromise in security check up. Barricades were put up at one side, Rahul Gandhi was supposed to come from Gunji village where he had reached at 7 in the morning. He had visited two families of farmers who committed suicide. He started his day at 5 30am from Nagpur to Gunji (Taluka - Dhamngaon) via car traveling 145 km. Then at 7 45 am he visited Nilesh Walke's house, who committed suicide. Then he went at Ambadas Wahile's house. After spending 20 minutes with family members, Rahul started his 4km Padyatra from Gunji to Shahapur. At 10 20am he entered Shahapur, where we were waiting. 

Before Rahul came in the picture, almost 20 vehicles arrived from unconstructed road, spreading dust in the area. Bomb defusing squad was attraction for many people as it was visually different than other vehicles. Then came Rahul donning a branded cap, sports shoes, starched white kurta- paijama. He was walking in super speed putting his arm around farmers shoulders, talking to him, waiving hands to crowd, responding politely with a smile. Rahul Gandhi zindabad slogans were given. Everyone tried to go closer to him. But, it was not possible unless the person was selected by Rahul on the spot or by party in advance. 1100 police from Maharashtra Police force, SPG and Reserved police force team surrounded Rahul. Big ropes were used to create circle around Rahul. With identity cards or passes, police were allowing to get inside that circle. Fire brigade vehicle, ambulace, a tempo-truck carrying all media photographers and videographers were given priority as they followed Rahul’s route. "Since last three days we are on Rahul's security duty. We have arrived here before he landed. Done road recce. This temperature is exhausting. But we are focused", Said an SPG staff member. Every now and then, the seniors would reorganize the staff.  

(In the villages where even ST bus not reaches on time, fire brigade, ambulance and bomb defusing unit were talk of the village)

 (bomb defusing unit was center of attraction for many villagers)

(Padyatra participation was not open..see the rope!)

People were standing at both sides of roads, in the galleries. Some tried to pass written requests to Rahul. Rahul was accompanying his team from Delhi, few TV journalists also landed from Delhi with Rahul. Youth congress national president Amarinder Singh Raja Brar, Mohan Prakash, Mukul Wasnik, Avinash Pandey, Manikrao Thakare, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Vishwjeet Kadam, Charulata Tokas, Rajiv Satav, Virendra Jagtap, Harshvardhan Sakpal were present in the Padyatra. Sonia Gandhi loyalists former CM Prithviraj Chavan, Sushilkumar Shinde, Narayan Rane, Harshavardhan Patil, Sanjay Nirupam, Vilas Muttemwar were absent from the national event. 

Jagtap shared his experience of Bhatta Parsula where he was the convener of Rahul's rally. "Whether it is Kedarnath, Punjab visit or this one, Rahulji's energy is amazing. It has already surprised many. It is not only about physical fitness, one needs determination and focus to deliver such performance." While talking we took a break for drinking a glass of cold water, which was provided at every 100 meters by party workers. Some workers provided lemon juice too. Media persons were busy in recoding bytes and getting emotional content on camera. Some were discussing in front of the family members where farmer had committed suicide about how many 'case study' one has covered. Rahul visited 9 families of farmers and conducted an open dialogue with them twice. Once Rahul left front the farmer's house, television reporters used to stand in the queue. Only language of the interviewee changed. Same questions. Same family members used to answer it in either Marathi or Hindi. Some family members could not speak hindi, so TV reporters were not interested in them. Quick bytes and stand ups from rural houses were done. Local journalists and few outside journalists were offered food by some of the families. Knowing in advance that today including Rahul Gandhi many people will visit their house, these farmers had prepared extra food. Journalists who were also tired running behind Rahul's speed had quick byte of Chapati or Bhakari or Rodge and continued their journey. 

 

(Rahul Gandhi listening to farmers complaints)

 (an old lady tried to take glimpse of Rahul Gandhi from distance)

An old lady tried to get glimpse of Rahul from the wooden barricades was guided by other lady. "See that fair man. He is Rahul." The intruding of media people upset women sitting for four hours waiting for open dialogue at Hanuman temple. Not bothering about their inconvenience, media tried to get shots of Rahul Gandhi. So, focus was Rahul Gandhi and not the poor suffering farmers or his concerns. Farmers and their issues were secondary in overall coverage. Still some locals are optimistic. "We know, this trip won't change our lives drastically but we are sure our issues will be highlighted. Rahul will take up our problems in Loksabha. Even that is enough for now. Because not a single minister visited us in recent times. Suicide has become an epidemic. Rahul will ring a national alarm," a farmer told me. 

(Rahul picked up a youth and had 'secret' conversation with him putting hands on farmer's shoulder)

 

Rahul completed his Kisan Savaad Padyatra after 15 km walking at the Tongalabad village where four farmers have committed suicide in a single village. "MPCC had not proposed this route or tour. After agricultural minister's controversial statement in parliament, Rahul decided to visit Punjab and Maharashtra farmers. He is even planning to visit Telangana. Delhi team has selected Tongalabad village and then based on that we planned entire 11 hours schedule of his one day visit to farmers," said a source at MPCC. 

Loan recovery notices by banks, loan taken from private money lenders, fertilisers prices and availability, seed quality, weather insurance, MSP (maximum support price) rate and reality, marketing problems, financial assistance of crop losses due to drought, unseasonal rains, electricity bills, load shedding, agriculture pump bills, non availability of irrigation facilities these are the topics farmers were constantly raising in conversation with Rahul Gandhi and journalists. "We expect that you will raise your voice for these issues in parliament like you have done against land bill," said a farmer. Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil explained him what are the lacunas in crop insurance policy and how it can be tackled. Rahul listened to each voice. Farmers said goodbye to him, hoping 'Delli had understood my issues.' When Rahul addressed media, many farmers gathered to catch sight of him but they were kept at distance, some of them tried to climb the wall and watch him speaking directly. Clicking Rahul's pictures on mobile phone was another satisfaction for locals.

Entire route and at all villages, where Rahul visited, crowd left so much of plastic glasses and empty plastic bags of water, the BJP could start 'Swach Bharat Mission'. Unaware of the real issues on ground faces by farmers, a war of words broke out on Twitter and social media on Rahul's Padyatra. From Kadyatra to seasonal opponents, they asked, "how many years until his next visit?"

Former CM and MPCC president Ashok Chavan challenged these opponents. "can you take such Padyatra? Do it. We have not stopped you." 

 (More than 80 Vehicles were part of Rahul Gandhi's padyatra)

Kalvati effect

Rahul Gandhi's visit to Vidarbha's Kalavati had attracted a lot of criticism for not following up. Sulabh NGO helped her financially. This time Rahul made it categorically clear, "I am not here to offer any promises to farmers. State and central government should do that. I am here to assure them that my party is with them in their bad times." 

Rahul's close supporter MLA Jagtap clarified this stand saying, "If farmers or local started such financial help expectations from such political visits then, we have to stop this one day because that is not the motive behind such study visits or courtesy visits. Media should also understand this." 

Local farmers cannot afford sports shoes to walk on the road. They undertake a daily padyatra in their farm barefoot. Rahul has his political yatra but farmers Padyatra will continue until next leader bothers to come to their house.

(A bare foot man walking in Padyatra.)