Anna Hazare to protest against land ordinance

Social activist Anna Hazare will hold a two-day protest at Jantar Mantar later this month against the recent amendments in the Land Acquisition Act by the Centre.

The agitation will be supported by several farmers' organisations and many other social activists, including Medha Patkar.

Hazare will reach the national capital on the morning of February 23. Prior to this, he will go to Palwal in Haryana and participate in a farmers' agitation there.

This will be Hazare's first visit to the national capital after the landslide victory of his one time aide and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal. The party, however, remained non-committal on its support to Hazare's agitation.

Incidentally, AAP too have voiced its opposition to the amendments made in the Land Acquisition Act.

"We will support Annaji's 'sangharsh'. We respect him. Whatever order he gives, I will follow it. We support his stand and his order is an instruction for us. His struggle is, however, away from political parties. Still, I will ask time from him and if he gives me time then I will certainly meet him I request everyone to support him in his crusade," senior AAP leader Kumar Vishwas said.

On December 29, the government had recommended promulgation of an ordinance making significant changes in the Land Acquisition Act including removal of consent clause for acquiring land for five areas of industrial corridors, PPP projects, rural infrastructure, affordable housing and defence.