Tamil Nadu farmers drink urine to draw Modi's attention; protest continues

Tamil Nadu farmers threaten to eat human faeces on Sunday if protest goes unnoticed

The farmers from Tamil Nadu staging a protest for over a month at Jantar Mantar here resorted to a "drink urine" agitation today to highlight their woes.

The farmers collected 'urine' at the protest venue and drank it in front of mediapersons to protest the government's aparthy amid a severe drought. They have been seeking relief funds and waiver of loans. Determined to get heard, they also said if they were still ignored by the Centre, they would be forced to eat human faeces on Sunday.

However, they are yet to receive some response from the government.

Two days ago, the farmers had eaten grass. Since they arrived in Delhi 38 days ago, the farers from Tamil Nadu have been making headlines for their unique -- sometimes bizarre -- methods of protest. Armed with skulls, which they claimed to be of farmers who had committed suicide, they stripped naked, bit mice and snakes, conducted mock funerals and were even flogged. Earlier this week, they wore sarees with wedding knots.

They are now sitting at Jantar Mantar with urine collected in plastic bottles, awaiting a response from the government. "We are trying everything to make the prime minister take note of our plight, but in vain. So, we are eating grass," one of the protesting farmers said.

Several leaders of regional and national parties, actors and farmers' unions have extended their support to the protesting farmers.

"Despite parleys with Union ministers, our situation has remained unchanged," said a farmer. The farmers are demanding a drought relief package of Rs 40,000 crore from the Centre, farm loan waiver and setting up of the Cauvery Management Board.

Politicians offer support

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi has completely ignored the distressed farmers, Communist Party of India general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy and National Council secretary Dr K Narayana on Friday visited the striking farmers of Tamil Nadu at Jantar Mantar and extended their party’s support to their agitation. They also expressed their displeasure and dismay at the utter disregard shown by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led Union government towards the problems of the farmers.

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi also joined about 100 protesting farmers at the capital’s Jantar Mantar square and extended the Congress’ help last month.