India, an agriculture intensive country, time and again has disappointed her farmers. With the increase in the number of farmer suicides, we as a nation failed to look after the hands that feed us.

All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) started the campaign on Twitter called #kisankiloot which currently is trending at number one on Twitter, focuses on the plights of farmers from across the country.

Speaking to The Logical Indian, Kavitha Kuruganti, an activist says, “We are presenting ground level evidence and lending a voice and visibility to the farmers. We are putting it in front of the nation how the farmers have been systematically looted all over India.”

Many examples have come up, and many farmers came forward with their problems. Twitter gave them a platform to voice their concerns.

Women Farmers across India come together to raise their voices against #KisanKiLoot done by @PMOIndia , @RadhamohanBJP Lets lend our voices to these women to get their basic costs of Farming covered & they continue to feed the nation #Indebted2farmers pic.twitter.com/JJZcmTQ4KS

— kavitha kuruganti (@kkuruganti) November 14, 2017

The Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices must be converted to the Commission for Farmer’s Income & Welfare to stop #KisanKiLoot
Listen to the expert @Devinder_Sharma, Mr. @radhamohanBJP @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/byVPh1Gjq6

— Ashlesha Khadse (@ashleshak) November 14, 2017

People voice support

According to All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), a coalition of over 180 farmer organisations, farmers this year will allegedly lose 35,000 crores for not being able to sell their crops in Minimal Support Price (MSP).

Swaraj Abhiyan chief, Yogendra Yadav, urged a nationwide protest on November 20th against the atrocities on the farmers. He wishes the government take responsibility for the crisis and act towards the welfare of the farmers.

Good to see a farmer distress issue trending on social media. Need to focus on #KisankiLoot that affects lakhs. https://t.co/ZHm0uyOggo

— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) November 14, 2017

Not just Rajdeep Sardesai, another noted journalist, Sreenivasan Jain also voiced concern for the farmers in a tweet. Activists and politicians also have taken interest in the innovative campaign.

Unusual to see farm distress related trend on Twitter. #KisanKiLoot

— Sreenivasan Jain (@SreenivasanJain) November 14, 2017

For too long we have neglected our farmers & food providers. It should not have taken 3Lakh farmers suicides to look at their problems & govt policies that brought them to this abyss. #KisanKiLoot https://t.co/BtfGqH0eHK

— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) November 14, 2017

BJP going to and fro on their promises

Back in May, Radha Mohan Singh, Agriculture Minister said that Modi never promised 50% margin on cost of production. He said that during Modi’s 2014 campaign, he only promised 50% increase in the income of the farmer, not on cost of production. To remind him of the truth, a group of farmers gathered in front of the Agriculture Minister’s house in Delhi on November 13th and played a video of Modi promising farmers 50% margin over the cost of production. Narendra Modi won the 2014 elections based on this promise, but now they are nowhere near to be recognised. The hashtag #UTurnSarkar along with #kisankiloot is spreading awareness about the conditions of farmers.

“There is a reason why they ask for loan waiver. It is because they are not even being able to earn the capital they are investing. They are not earning enough.” Kavitha further added.

The 50% margin over the cost of production that was promised by Modi during 2014 elections, which was subsequently denied by the agriculture minister needs to be paid attention to. If he still wishes to be in power in 2019, he should fulfill his promises, said MP Raju Shetty in an interview with The Times of India.