Activists gearing up for more Protests on land bill

New Delhi, Feb 25 (IANS) Having vociferously protested against the land ordinance for two days, activists are now gearing up for a massive showdown with the government at the district and state levels.

"We are beginning a district level movement from next week against the land bill," P.V. Rajagopal, a Gandhian activist, said on the sidelines of the protest at Jantar Mantar here.

He said the focus would now be on mobilisation and training of youth for a final showdown in 2019, a year which will coincide with the completion of five-year term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.

"The government may not be able to ignore this and will have to engage us in a dialogue process," Rajagopal, president of the Ekta Parishad federation told reporters.

Activists and farmers from various organisations held demonstrations from Monday to protest against the land ordinance which replaced the 2013 land acquisition bill.

Social activist Anna Hazare and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were also part of the two-day demonstration.

About a meeting of the protestors with Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Rajagopal said it was "an interesting and cordial dialogue with the government".

He said the government has given a positive feedback on ensuring housing for the poor.

"A draft of the Homestead Bill, formulated by the previous UPA government, is lying with the law ministry. They can revive it and ensure housing for all poor people".

He said during meeting, the government also assured of reviving the National Land Reforms Council.

Listing the achievements of the agitation over the last two days, Rajagopal said it was historic as "many organisations in this country came together on one platform".

Asserting that farmers and activists would only be happy with a complete roll back of the land ordinance, Rajagopal also said the government should not make efforts to increase compensation to farmers as it would not address the issues of poor people.