Congress protests against Land Acquisition Bill, demonstration stopped by water cannon

The Congress Party on Monday staged demonstrations against the Government's Land Acquisition Bill, which it alleged is 'autocratic'.

The protest march from Bhatta Parsul to the Parliament House took a violent turn with the Delhi Police using water cannons and baton-charging the crowd to ensure that they do not reach the Parliament.

Congress leaders Ahmed Patel, Sachin Pilot and Kumari Selja were among those who took part in the protest organised by the party's youth wing.

Terming the Land Acquisition Bill as 'anti-farmer', Ahmed Patel lashed out at the government and said it was absolute 'autocracy'.

"As per the earlier amendment, if you take the land and it's not in use for five years then the land is to be returned to the farmers," he added.

Meanwhile, Pilot questioned the government's stand on the bill.

"Eight months from now, the BJP gave its full support to this bill. What is the reason for the BJP changing this bill after eight months?" asked Pilot.

"When the BJP wanted votes, they were with the farmers. After coming to power, they are fooling the public and being unfair" he added.

Kumari Selja questioned the government's decision to make amendments to the bill 'all of a sudden'.

"Why does this government want to make amendments suddenly? The Congress has always worked for the farmers, we will protest against it and make sure that this bill does not get passed," she told ANI here.

A congress youth worker fainted during the protest march.

The Lok Sabha had last week passed the Land Acquisition Bill of the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre via a voice vote. Nine amendments to the bill had been adopted.

Several other parties including the Janata Dal (United) and Lalu Prasad Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have also opposed the ruling BJP's Land Acquisition Bill.