Noted danseuse and social activist Mallika Sarabhai has criticised the policies of the state and central governments, urging farmers to fight for their rights. On Saturday, she said that the UPA-led government at the Centre and Narendra Modi as chief minister of Gujarat have both failed to solve the problems faced by farmers.
Addressing the farmers of villages around Ahmedabad, who had gathered outside the Roopali Theatre in the city, Sarabhai said that the politicians in the state and central governments are very corrupt, asking them not to depend on these politicians and instead raise their voices for their rights.
“On one side, the Modi government is boasting about Vibrant Gujarat. But, at the same time, the condition of the farmers in the state is deteriorating. They are committing suicide. There are instances of farmers having to pay electricity bills for connections they are yet to get,” she said.
“Dozens of farmers in Gujarat have committed suicide in the last four years. Because of the bad weather conditions this year, the toll may increase,” Sarabhai said. Despite these facts, the authorities are not putting in adequate efforts to curb this problem, she said.
“The situation is alarming as the crops have been badly affected on account of the poor monsoon. At this time, the farmers need compensation, else the situation will worsen,” said BK Soni, president, Gujarat Farmers’ Association.
The pollution level in south Gujarat has increased at an alarming rate because of the rapid industrialisation there, Sarabhai said. “Gujarat’s fishermen are being caught by Pakistani forces just because the fish have vanished from the sea because of the massive pollution in recent years,” she said.
Comments