Pune: Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Tuesday extended support to the ongoing MPSC agitation in Pune, stating that farmers are battling drought conditions and their children are compelled to protest on the streets for justice.Jarange met the protesting MPSC aspirants in Pune and appealed to the govt to accept their demands. “The more time the govt takes to accept the protesters’ demands, the greater the anger among citizens against the govt will be. It should win students’ hearts by listening to them,” Jarange said.Pointing out that many aspirants come from farming families struggling with drought conditions, Jarange said, “The situation is worsening in rural areas, where entire crops have withered and there is no income. Farmers send their children to cities thinking they will secure jobs and look after their families. However, recruitment has stalled and question papers are being leaked. The children of farmers are struggling equally in urban areas, and the govt is responsible for it.”While some ministers announced that relief will be provided to farmers before Diwali, Jarange argued that the govt should not wait until the festival to release the aid. “Why is the govt waiting until Diwali to compensate farmers? They need help immediately, and the govt should provide at least Rs 1 lakh per hectare. Along with monetary assistance, the govt must also grant a complete loan waiver to all farmers. If relief is not provided in the coming days, I will lead a statewide farmers’ agitation,” Jarange warned.
