RSS-affiliated farmers' body warns of agitation in Gujarat

The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) on Friday threatened to launch an agitation in Gujarat if the BJP government did not address the farmers' issues raised by it.

The BKS, a farmers organisation affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevek Sangh (RSS), has over five lakh members in the state.

Some of its demands are immediate purchase of Kharif (summer) crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), reduction in fertiliser prices, conducting of a crop failure survey and removal of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on farming-related products or machinery.

On October 15, it would hold rallies and submit memorandums to the authorities in every district, said BKS president Vitthal Dudhatra.

"If the state government does not act, we will launch a fierce agitation in coming days," he said.

He accused the BJP government of not paying attention to farmers' problems despite a delegation making a representation to Chief Minister Vijay Rupani last month.

"Farmers are under immense stress. They are on edge, and no solution is in sight. Even monsoon was weak this time. We urged the government last month to take some concrete measures but it did nothing," Dudhatra alleged.

"Though the government said that Kharif crops will be purchased at MSP, no mechanism has been set up yet to start the purchase," he claimed.