Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Farmer's Eighth-Day Hunger Strike Seeks Loan Waiver, Pollution Action
Bhanudas Shinde is a farmer from Maharashtra who has been fasting for eight days.
He wants the government to cancel all farmers’ loans.
He also wants action against cement factories that he says are polluting his village.
His organisation has given the government 10 demands.
Shinde says the government’s loan-waiver announcement has conditions.
He believes all farmers should receive a complete waiver instead.
He pointed to the deaths of two farmers after the announcement.
He says he will keep fasting until the government responds.
Bhanudas Shinde began a hunger strike in Kangaon village, Pune district, over farmers’ demands.
The 49-year-old farmer is seeking a total loan waiver for all farmers in Maharashtra.
He is also demanding action against cement factories accused of causing pollution in his village.
Shinde said the state government has been presented with 10 demands by the Rayat Kranti Sanghatna.
He plans to continue fasting until the government responds, arguing that loan-waiver conditions have not prevented farmer suicides.
- Who
- Bhanudas Shinde, a 49-year-old farmer and Rayat Kranti Sanghatna spokesperson.
- What
- An ongoing hunger strike demanding a total farm-loan waiver and action against polluting cement factories, among 10 demands.
- When
- The hunger strike reached its eighth day on Sunday.
- Where
- Kangaon village in Daund taluka, Pune district, Maharashtra.
- Why
- Shinde wants the state government to address the organisation’s demands, remove loan-waiver conditions and act against alleged village pollution.
- Protester
- Bhanudas Shinde
- Age
- 49
- Organisation
- Rayat Kranti Sanghatna
- Fast duration
- Eight days as of Sunday
- Main financial demand
- A total loan waiver for all farmers in Maharashtra
- Environmental demand
- Action against pollution-causing cement factories in Kangaon
- Number of demands
- 10