The MLA, who is the grandnephew of NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar, initiated the protest on Friday (June 12) in Pandharpur, renowned for the Vitthal-Rukmini temple in Solapur district, advocating for a comprehensive loan waiver for farmers.
After midnight on Monday, Mahajan met the opposition MLA in Pandharpur, assuring him that the state government was committed to addressing farmers’ issues and would seek a resolution to their demands. He requested Pawar to end his hunger strike.
“If you believe amendments to the farm loan waiver scheme are necessary, come to Mumbai. We will organize a meeting before the (monsoon) session where you can present your views. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has given his assurance, so we will convene before June 22 to reach a positive outcome,” Mahajan stated.
The monsoon session of the state legislature is set to begin on June 22.
In response to the appeal, Rohit Pawar expressed that it was pointless to extend the protest if the state government was open to discussion.
“Extending the protest for political reasons will only create division and adversely affect farmers. If the government is ready to ensure a solution before the session, as promised by the chief minister, we will collaborate to find a resolution through dialogue. We will persist in our efforts until the two strict conditions in the farm loan waiver scheme are eliminated,” he stated.
Rohit Pawar then inquired of the protesting farmers if they should engage in talks with the chief minister, and the crowd responded affirmatively.
Later, accompanied by his family and fellow farmers, he ended his fast by visiting the Sant Namdev payari or step (of the Vitthal-Rukmini temple).
The Sant Namdev step is the sacred first step of the Mahadwar, or main entrance, of the Vitthal-Rukmini temple in Pandharpur, marking the final resting spot of the 13th-century saint-poet Namdev.
On June 2, the Maharashtra cabinet approved a ₹36,585 crore farm loan waiver scheme, anticipated to benefit nearly 56 lakh farmers.
The ‘Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Karja-mukti Yojana’ provides a farm loan waiver of up to ₹2 lakh. The scheme comprises three elements—loan waiver, one-time settlement (OTS), and incentive benefits—with no landholding criteria for eligibility.
Under the waiver component, farmers with total outstanding short-term crop loans, including both principal and interest, up to ₹2 lakh are eligible for full debt relief. The loans must have been issued between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2025; must be overdue as of September 30, 2025; and must remain unpaid until March 31, 2026.
Farmers with dues exceeding ₹2 lakh will fall under the OTS component. These borrowers must repay the amount above ₹2 lakh before they qualify for the ₹2 lakh waiver. They have until March 31, 2027, to settle their share of the outstanding amount.
