Rohit Pawar on third day of hunger strike in Pandharpur

NCP (SP) Party MLA Rohit Pawar. | Photo credit: PTI

NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar Faction) MLA Rohit Pawar is on hunger strike at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk in Pandharpur, demanding unconditional loan waiver of up to 2 lakhs for all farmers and removal of conditions attached to Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Schkar Loan Waiver. On the third day of the protest, his blood pressure and sugar level dropped. He refused ORS and IV even though he consumed water.

According to a document detailing the protest, Mr. Pawar did not eat food for three days and did not drink water for the first two days. The second night his health deteriorated. Doctors recommended water and ORS. He drank water but refused ORS. Later, the doctors suggested an infusion, which he also refused. Mr Pawar said he would accept the infusion only after meeting Maharashtra Chief Minister Girish Mahajan.

Minister Mahajan, described in the document as the Fadnavis government’s “crisis solver”, went to Pandharpur to persuade Mr Pawar to end the protest. Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne and Cooperation Minister Balasaheb Patil were in touch with the MLA, but the government and the Chief Minister did not agree to his primary demands.

The NCP MLA alleged that the state government and administration were ignoring the situation. Party workers staged protests at many places. In support of the agitation, a ‘rasta roko’ was held in Jalgaon Jamod taluka on Sunday.

On the third day, Mr. Pawar’s family reached the spot. His mother, sister, wife and two children arrived at the protest site. Family members were showing anxiety. His father, Rajendra Pawar, is present for two days. Mr. Rajendra Pawar said, “Even though I am Rohit’s father, I dedicated him to the cause of farmers.” He added that the government will not react until the farmers raise their voice.

Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil is expected to visit the protest site in Pandharpur. Leaders of various political parties are also likely to meet Mr. Pawar. The protest continues and all eyes are on whether the government and MLAs will reach a resolution or the agitation will intensify.

Published – 15 Jun 2026 04:20 IST