Congress to hold rally over 2013 Land Act

The Congress has decided to hold a 'Kisan Mazdoor Samman' (farm labourers respect) rally on September 20 at Ramlila Ground here to mark the party's success in compelling the NDA government to retract its move to amend the 2013 Land Act.

Party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the rally would be addressed by Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi.

He said the two Congress leaders have been in the forefront of the struggle for rights of farmers and farm labourers, and lakhs of farmers from across the country would participate in the rally.

He said the Narendra Modi government had been unable to "whittle down" the 2013 Land Act passed by the United Progressive Alliance government due to the "committed and sustained struggle" of lakhs of farmers in every part of the country.

"Workers of the Congress, social and farmers' organisations, and like-minded political parties all protested vociferously and decisively against the attempts to kill the soul and spirit of the 2013 Land Act," Surjewala said.

The Congress had strongly opposed any changes to the 2013 Land Act. The Modi government finally allowed the ordinance aimed at amending the law to lapse.

The new land ordinance draft is being examined by the joint committee of the two houses of parliament.