The first day of the five-day sit-in of the National Fishworkers’ Forum (NFF) of India was started 4 March at Janthar Manthar in the capital city, New Delhi, with the participation of over thousands from various fishworker unions that are members of NFF from all the 10 coastal States and Union Territories and from other independent fishworker groups from all the coastal States, under the leadership of Mr. Rambhau Patil, the Chairperson, Mr. M. Ilango, General Secretary and Mr. T. Peter, Secretary, with the co-operation of the State leaders (executive committee members of NFF) such as Narendra R Patil (Maharshtra), K. Allaya (Orissa), Bharath Patel (Gujarat), Sudhakar Joshy (Goa), Jackson Pollayil (Kerala), Debasis Shymal (West Bengal), Anton Gomez, Kumaravelu, Gilbert Rodrigo (all three from Tamilnadu) and Ramajeyam (Pondicherry).
The following were the important demands put forth:
1. The ministry of Agriculture in GOI shall be bifurcated and a separate ministry shall be set up for Fisheries and the welfare of the fisherfolk.
2. Kerosene and diesel supply for small and traditional fishermen shall be at cost price.
3. Like for the farmers, the loans of the fishermen too shall be waived in conditions of disastrous weather. The fishermen also shall be given loan at differential rate of interest (4%) as given to the farmers. The sales tax for equipments bought by the fishermen shall be at 4% as in the case of farmers, instead of the present 12%.
4. All violations of the CRZ shall be taken immediate action and the right of the fisher community for the coast shall be protected in the spirit of CRZ Notification 2011.
5. All purse seine shall be banned in all parts of the country.
6. The fisher people shall be permitted to stay and dry their nets and catches in Jambudeep area all year around.
During the day long dharna, many important dignitaries spoke on support of the protests. Among them the most important ones are: Mr. Ram Nayak, former Minister of Petroleum Ministry, Mr. Prakash Jawdekar, spokesperson of BJP, Mr. Thirumavalavan MP, of Viduthalay Siruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and most famous social worker Ms. Aruna Roy.
Mr. Thiruma valavan, who said that he looks at it as his duty to ensure that the issue is presented in the parliament during the present session, also promised to be there with the protestors on the last day, that is 8th of March.
The leaders of the various member organizations of NFF and the leaders of the solidarity organizations also spoke on the occasion. More MPs have promised to address the gathering, said Mr. M. Ilango, General Secretary.