Maharashtra farmers’ strike: Actor Nana Patekar supports demand for loan waiver

Mumbai city news: Patekar said the state should bail out farmers suffering from financial burdens and those who need loan waivers

As the farmers’ agitation for a loan waiver and minimum price guarantee for their produce entered its seventh day, actors Nana Patekar and Makrand Anaspure lent their support to the strike.

The Bollywood actor warned against the political exploitation of farmers. (HT File Photo)

Speaking at a press conference organised by the NAAM Foundation — a social outfit started by the two actors in 2015 to help distressed farmers and the families of farmers who had committed suicide — Patekar said it was unfortunate that Maharashtra’s farmers had to resort to strikes to survive.

Patekar said the state should bail out farmers suffering from financial burdens and those who need loan waivers. He also warned against the political exploitation of farmers and urged leaders of all political parties to find a solution to the increasing incidents of farmer suicides.

Patekar has shown his solidarity with the state’s farmers earlier too. He set up NAAM Foundation to support farmers after constant bouts of drought led to the agrarian crisis.