Nagpur, April 8 (IANS) Around 200 widows from Bothbodan village, known for the maximum number of farmland suicides in the Vidarbha region, Friday went on a day's hunger strike to express solidarity with social crusader Anna Hazare's campaign against corruption.
Bothbodan village in Yavatmal district was visited by eminent people like Rahul Gandhi, M.S. Swaminathan, Mani Shankar Iyer and other bigwigs, said Bebitai Bais, president of Vidarbha Farm Widows Association (VFWA).
Bais said that despite visits by the noted personalities, experts from the state and the centre, there has been no solution to the problems of farmers in the region and the suicides continue unabated.
"The government has announced several packages to the tune of Rs.5,000 crore for Vidarbha region. However, because of corruption it has failed to reach the intended beneficiaries and farmers. Hence, we are supporting Hazare's noble cause and joining this war against corruption," Bais said.
The agitation has been led by Bais, Bothbodan village head Balasaheb Chavan, and Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS) secretary Mohan Jadhav.
VJAS president Kishor Tiwari said that if Hazare "can launch an indefinite fast at the age of 73, then we must support the endeavour and spread the message of 'corruption free India' ".
On Thursday, several hundred widows joined a candle light procession in Hiwara-Barsa village in the district and the VJAS and VFWA will take out a procession to all the suicide-hit villages over the next few days.
Friday's hunger strike drew widows from other villages like Pandharkawada, Ralegaon, Ghatanji and Wani and more are expected to join later in the day.
Anna Hazare is on a fast-unto-death in New Delhi to demand a stringent anti-graft law.