For the second time in three months, farmers led by the Desiya Thenidhiya Nathigal Inaippu Vivasayigal Sangam's President Iyyakannu, have temporarily called off protests. The agitation in Chepauk, was brought to a halt, once again following the reassurances of Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami.
More than a month after calling off their demonstration in New Delhi, over 50 farmers from Tamil Nadu began a protest in Chennai on Friday, demanding drought relief and for their loans to be waived off by the state government. They are also protesting in support of the farmers in Madhya Pradesh, after their demonstration turned violent on Tuesday. Iyyakannu had said on the protests will continue till July 10, if their demands are not met.
On Saturday, however ,representatives from the farmer group went to the secretariat at around 11 am. Iyyakannu is believed to have met the Chief Minister, who promised to fulfil all the demands the farmers have put forth within the next two months. In addition to this, the government has reportedly assured protestors that several farmer related schemes will be rolled out next month. Following this, the protests have been 'temporarily' called off.
The turn of events in Chennai, is similar to what happened at the capital on April 23. Farmers who had been protesting for 41 days ended their protests after a visit and assurance from the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister that their demands will be met. But soon after, Iyyakannu told The News Minute, "I regret calling off the protests. The assurances were all an eyewash and nothing has changed on the ground."
Farmers from different parts of the country had actually conducted a meeting in New Delhi on May 21 to decide on the next steps to be taken. According to Iyyakannu, “The protests in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh is the result of our meeting on May 21, 2017." He further stated that,"On June 16, we have one more meeting in Delhi, after which, farmers will conduct protests in the entire country.”
The group of farmers, who captured the nation's attention with their alarming forms of protests--from snakes in their mouth to rolling on the roads naked--have appeared to have surrendered to the state government's demands without even a whimper.