December 18, 2025 09:38 am (IST)
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Kejriwal to join Anna in protests against land ordinance?
New Delhi, Feb 23 (IBNS): Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is expected to reunite with social activist Anna Hazare in a protest against the centre's proposed changes in rules for land acquisition, reports said.
Kejriwal and Delhi Minister Manish Sisodia met Hazare on Monday evening at the Maharashtra Sadan.
Emerging out from the hour-long meet, Sisodia told reporters: "Arvind and I will sit on dharna with Anna after the (Delhi assembly) session at 3 pm."
In what appeared like a repeat of history, Hazare earlier on Monday threatened to launch a law violation movement against the Land Ordinance, saying there was no difference between the Narendra Modi government and the previous one, led by the Congress.
"The government is now taking decisions on the basis of its own whims. What is the difference between the Congress government and you (NDA) then? Today, you are doing the same things they did," he said while addressing a gathering at Jantar Mantar.
Hazare is leading thousands of farmers in the protest against the bill through Ordinance route.
He says the government has not taken into the account the opinion of the people and the farmers.
"Small farmers and women in villages don't know what this law is. We have to start a padyatra in every village and district to enlighten them," he said.
He earlier had flagged off a march from Haryana to New Delhi against the Land Acquisition Bill brought by an ordinance of the BJP-led government in New Delhi.
"Around 5000-6000 farmers have gone on the padyatra and will reach here. More people will reach this place. This andolan will grow... "We request the government to withdraw this law and bring back as well make additions to the 2013 law," Anna said.
Assailing the NDA government for the ordinance that made significant changes in the Land Acquisition Act, the septugenarian leader said the act was similar to that of the former British ruler.
"This is land grab by the government; Britishers used to do this...What is the need to bring in ordinance when Act was passed in 2013...To cater to the industrialists, how can you betray the farmers?" he said.
"For acquiring land, an industrialist now needs the permission of the government. Why take the permission of the government? What is the government? Who made the government? Does the government itself know this?" Anna Hazare said.
It was at the same venue that Hazare had started his protest against corruption in 2011 during the Congress-led UPA regime, drawing a huge support from cross section of society.
His move to go for a movement on the land issue came at a time when the Modi government was looking for a suitable strategy to cope with the united opposition determined to block the ordinance in Parliament.
Hazare also threatened to start a 'jail bharo andolan' if the government did not address concerns over the Ordinance within four months.
"And after 4 months, we will launch a protest at Ramlila Maidan. I will not go on a hunger strike at Ramlila Maidan. I have to stay alive for my farmers. Jail Bharo Andolan will be launched at Ramlila Maidan."
He had led a similar law violation movement in 2011 against the Congress-led UPA government.
"When the Congress government came to power, both the Congress and BJP together framed the 2013 law on land. But after this government came to power with a strong majority, it suddenly framed this Ordinance on land and removed the earlier law," he said.
"The 2013 law had clearly said that if 70 percent of the landowners did not want to give their land to an industrialist, the land could not be given away," Hazare said.
Earlier, the leader said all political parties were welcome to join his protest movement, though they can not share the main stage.
"All can come and join the protest. But politicians are not welcome on the stage. They can sit in the crowd and support us," he told media.
Meanwhile, .Parliamentary Affairs minister Venkaiah Naidu said, " If there is broad consensus we can make amendments...The purpose of the ordinance is speedy development and getting investments."
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in the morning that in a democracy, there should be dialogue, discussion and positive outcome. He sought cooperation of all parties to ensure that important legislations were done in the budget session.
Leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "We won't be supporting an anti-people ordinance." \\
He said there was no need to make amendments in the law its government enacted and which the BJP supported.
Minutes later in his address to both Houses of Parliament, President Pranab Mukherjee said the, "government attaches paramount importance to safeguard the interest of farmers and families affected by land acquisition."
Parties like the Janata Dal United and the Left too have promised to fight the government on the ordinance. Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party or NCP said today, "We cannot support the land ordinance in the present form."
The ordinance has to be cleared by both Houses of Parliament within six weeks from Monday. The ruling BJP and its allies are in a minority in the Rajya Sabha and need the support of opposition parties to pass laws.
Image: AAP Twitter Handle
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