UP farmers' protest rocks Rajya Sabha, BSP jittery

New Delhi, Aug 16: The agitation of Uttar Pradesh farmers and the use of police action rocked the Rajya Sabha on Monday, Aug 16 as the Opposition demanded a discussion on the matter.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanded a discussion during the Question Hour on the farmers" agitation and the police firing.

However, the Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP), which rules Uttar Pradesh, protested against the BJP's demand in the Upper House stating that state issues must not be discussed in the Upper House of the Parliament.

“Sir, you please give a ruling that state subjects like law and order issues can be discussed in this House," BSP leader Satish Chandra Mishra pleaded chaiman Hamid Ansari.

Since Saturday, Aug 14, Farmers have been protesting in Aligarh and Mathura demanding higher compensation for their land that has been acquired for the Yamuna expressway, a 165-km road corridor between Noida and Agra.

The agitation escalated when police was called in and violence broke out when a leader of the farmers was reportedly arrested.

While Mayawati-led state government has called for peace, the Opposition is using the protests to pressurise the ruling BSP government.

OneIndia News