Fresh challenge for Narendra Modi govt: RSS-affiliated outfit holds protest against land bill

New Delhi, May 5: An RSS-affiliated organisation staged a protest in New Delhi against the "anti-farmer" and "anti-poor" land acquisition bill in a move that could embarrass the NDA government which also faced protests by Left-backed farmers' outfits and some opposition parties.

The protests by Swadeshi Jagaran Manch(SJM) came at a time when opposition parties have united against the contentious Land Bill even as the organisation said it plans to spread public awareness against the NDA regime if its demands are not considered.

During its protest at Jantar Mantar, the SJM also raised concerns over field trials of genetically modified crops and FDI in e-commerce.

"The government today by its policies has proved that it doesn't subscribe to the ideologies of Deendayal Upadhyayaji... the ideologies of Swadeshi thinking and decentralisation of political and economical powers.

"Therefore, organisations like Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh and Swadeshi Jagaran Manch feel agitated with its anti-farmer and anti-poor policies which include the irrational land acquisition bill," SJM ideologue K N Govindacharya said.

Govindacharya alleged the government was resorting to policies that "failed world over" and did not address the needs of the poor and deprived sections.

SJM national co-convenor Ashwani Mahajan insisted that the Centre include provisions of social impact assessment, farmers' consent before acquiring land and ensuring food security in its Land Acquisition bill.

He said SJM, irrespective of whichever party is in power, will raise its concerns. The outfit would also engage in dialogue with the government "whenever the opportunity comes".

The SJM plans to spread public awareness against the NDA government if its demands are not considered, he said.

Separately, Left-backed farmers' organizations along with some opposition parties staged a protest here against the Land bill, contending that it is against the interest of farmers and country.

During the rally held at Parliament Street near Jantar Mantar, the organizations maintained that the bill is against the interest of farmers and country's future and one which will lead to food crisis.

"We think this bill is not in the interest of our peasantry, it's not in the interest of agriculture and therefore, not in the interest of country's future. And we think this will lead to very very serious deficiencies in our food security, food self-sufficiency.

"And this sort of bonanza for Land mafias that cannot be given at the expense on Indian Kisan, the Indian economy and the future of our youth," the new CPI (M) General Secretary Siatram Yechury said while addressing the rally.

CPI's Rajya Sabha MP D Raja said the Modi Government aims at destroying Indian agriculture and displace millions of people by bringing in the legislation which helps corporate and big business houses.

Besides leaders from Left outfits, representatives of other opposition parties like JD(U) and Trinamool Congress-- Pavan Verma and Dola Sen--addressed the rally.

PTI