Youth Congress to go on 'Prabhat Pheri' against land bill

As part of its opposition to the land acquisition bill, the Congress will go for "Prabhat Pheri" (early morning walk) in the capital on Monday with members of its youth wing going to residences of MPs at 6 a.m. to seek their support against the contentious bill.

The Congress' move comes amid expectation that the bill would be brought by the government in the Lok Sabha by Wednesday, the date for the budget session to end.

There was also speculation that the government may go in for a joint committee of the two houses to resolve the impasse over the bill which has not been taken up for discussion in the Rajya Sabha where the government lacks majority.

A Indian Youth Congress release said IYC president Amarinder Singh Raja will lead the activists in prabhat pheri which will begin at 6 a.m.

"During this Prabhat Pheri, the IYC president and team will personally meet MPs and hand over an appeal to them urging them to oppose the said bill in their respective houses of parliament," it said.

The IYC appealed to all MPs, irrespective of their political party, to "voice their concern" against the new land bill.

The IYC had earlier launched an agitation against the bill which makes changes to the Act of 2013 which was steered by the previous United Progressive Alliance government.

Prabhat Pheri has been part of Indian tradition, with people walking in a group in the early hours of the morning and generally singing inspirational or spiritual songs.