A video of an elderly farmer from Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, has gone viral, in which he is seen protesting at the collector’s office, begging to save his land from the mafia. The elderly farmer, identified as Shankarlal Patidar, is seen laying on the ground in the District Magistrate's office as part of his protest against the mafia.
Shankarlal claims that he lodged several complaints against the mafia, but no action was taken. During a public hearing, Shankarlal submitted an application to the district administration, which clarified that the land still belongs to him. The initial investigation by the local administration revealed that a total of 3.52 hectares of land is equally divided between Shankarlal and Sampat Bai.
Also Read: Farmer Leader Navdeep Released on Bail after Five Months in Jail
What is the Entire Land Dispute About?
According to the administration, in 2010, Sampat Bai sold a part of her land to Ashwin, who never took possession. However, Shankarlal worries that the mafia is targeting his and his family’s land.
Local records indicate that the land is divided between Shankarlal and Sampat Bai. While Sampat Bai sold her share to Ashwin in 2010, Ashwin never took possession. Despite this, Shankarlal fears that the mafia is eyeing their land.
Congress Criticizes the State Government
The opposition party Congress criticized the government, claiming that the video highlights the struggles farmers face under the current leadership. They allege that Shankarlal encountered bureaucratic hurdles and demands for bribes while seeking help.
Also Read: Tomato Price Hike: Hybrid Variety Cultivation to Prevent Price Surge During Monsoon
In a social media post on X, Congress stated, “A helpless farmer in Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, kept running around government offices, but his plea was unheard. He was asked for bribes, or sent away without a hearing. Eventually, out of frustration, the farmer was forced to take this step.”
