Farmers, Tribals Celebrate Victory as CPI(M) March Secures Land and Water Rights

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Friday hailed the people of Palghar, Maharashtra , for a successful three-day “long march” that has already prompted concrete administrative action on key demands of farmers, tribals, and workers .

Between January 19 and 21 , over 50,000 participants , including a significant number of women and youth , marched 55 km from Charoti to the Palghar District Collectorate . The protest, organized by CPI(M), highlighted longstanding issues including pending Jal Jeevan Mission projects , corruption in the ration system , land and tribal rights , housing for the needy , and opposition to the proposed Wadhvan and Murbe ports . The marchers also demanded strict enforcement of the PESA Act 1996 , resolution of Forest Rights Act (FRA) claims 2006 , granting of land ownership to actual cultivators, and cancellation of smart electricity meters .

During the first two days, demonstrators blocked the Collectorate and the Palghar-Boisar highway after authorities closed the gates to prevent their entry. On January 21 , CPI(M) leaders including Dr. Ashok Dhawale , MLA Vinod Nikole , and Kiran Gahala held a seven-hour discussion with District Collector Indu Rani Jakhar and other officials. Following these talks, the administration issued time-bound written assurances , agreeing to resolve pending FRA claims by April 30 , inspect lands where farmers had received less than their rightful ownership, and vest landlords’ lands, temple lands, inam lands, government lands, pasturelands, and benami lands in the names of actual tillers . A committee , chaired by the additional district collector and including CPI(M) and Kisan Sabha leaders , has been formed to oversee implementation, while the draft legislation on temple and inam lands was handed over to the march leaders.

Officials have already begun inspections of disputed lands , with several farmers receiving formal recognition of ownership . Pending Jal Jeevan Mission water supply projects have restarted in affected villages, and the state government has assured that grievances related to smart meters will be addressed within the next two months. CPI(M) leaders said they would continue monitoring implementation and mobilize further if deadlines are not met.

The party described the march as a historic victory , emphasizing that broader struggles against the Wadhvan and Murbe ports , anti-worker labour codes , electricity privatization , and the VB-GRAMG Act will continue. “Thousands of peasants, workers, agricultural laborers, and tribals marched resolutely with red flags , bringing the Maharashtra BJP government to its knees,” CPI(M) said. The march underscores the growing influence of grassroots mobilization in ensuring accountability and rights for tribal communities and farmers in Maharashtra.