blocked was of Dr Datta Samant, well-known trade union leader from Mumbai. He walked up to Joshi and also addressed the farmers assuring that workers would stand solidly with farmers. Afterwards his vehicle was allowed to pass. Joshi announced that farmers would boycott the assembly elections that were due in two days. By then it was already past five in the evening. With the highway totally blocked, senior police officials rushed to the spot. A large police force was ordered. Babulal was addressing the farmers when a Police Inspector barged through the crowd and snatched the mike from Babulal’s hand. Seeing that, Joshi got up and snatched the mike from Inspector’s hand and began addressing the farmers. But the inspector forcefully snatched it back and announced that all agitating persons were under immediate arrest. Joshi and other leaders sat down on the road saying, “We shall not move from here, do whatever you want!” The angry police lifted them all one by one and shoved them into the waiting police vehicle. Police had already kept ready five State Transport buses and couple of large police vans. Everyone was somehow stuffed in and was taken to the police station. From there they were produced before the magistrate in Chakan at 10 pm. In all 316 farmers were arrested. The magistrate gave everyone ten days’ remand and all were taken to different jails. There was some hope they might be released next day so that they could cast their votes in the elections on the following day. But this time the Government had decided to act tough. The State was under President’s rule then. Joshi, along with his seven colleagues, was imprisoned in Aurangabad jail. Others were put in different jails. This time however the experience in the Jail was pleasant. Most policemen were themselves children of the farmers and perhaps had some soft corner for the agitators. The best experience was that of the Chief Jailor of Aurangabad. On the very first day he said, Onions in Chakan : First Spark
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