Delhi CM Kejriwal joins Anna's protest, says won't allow forcible takeover of land in Delhi

New Delhi, Feb 24: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal led all his 66 MLAs and other leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party to Jantar Mantar on Tuesday afternoon in a big show of support for activist Anna Hazare, who is protesting against Modi's government's land acquisition ordinance.

"The land ordinance is against the farmers and the poor. We are with Anna ji (in protesting it)," Kejriwal said after he met Hazare on-stage at the protest venue.

He said he will not allow the central government to forcibly take land away from anyone in the national capital under the amended land acquisition law.

Kejriwal clarified that land is a subject that comes under the purview of the central government but his government would still make all the necessary efforts to protect the poor.

The government on Tuesday introduced the land acquisition amendment bill in the Lok Sabha amid uproar by the opposition.

Hazare, who led an anti-corruption movement against the previous UPA government, Monday launched an agitation against the measure at Jantar Mantar here, terming it as "undemocratic" and demanding its withdrawal.

Earlier on Monday, accusing the Modi government of antipathy towards farmers, Anna launched a two-day agitation against the controversial land acquisition ordinance, coinciding with the commencement of the Budget session of Parliament.

77-year-old Hazare was joined by hundreds of supporters and Narmada Bachao movement activist Medha Patekar at Jantar Mantar and the activist said he will take the movement against the ordinance to each and every district of the country.

"How can you take away land without farmer's consent. India is an agricultural country. The government must think about the farmers. The land ordinance is undemocratic," Hazare said.

"The government cannot be indifferent to the farmers' interest. This is government of people of India and not of England or America. It is the people who have made the government," he said.
Terming it as a very serious issue, Hazare said he will take the agitation across the country and will come back to the Ramlila grounds soon if the government does not heed farmers' demand.

"People in the villages are still not aware of this (amendments). Now, we will make people of every state and district aware of the provisions (of the ordinance). It is important to reach out to every district," he said.

OneIndia News
(With agency inputs)