Swaraj Abhiyan decides to wind up protests

Yogendra Yadav-led Swaraj Abhiyan today decided to wind up its protests at Jantar Mantar after Lt Governor's assurance of handing over the symbolic plough to them and in view of "security concerns" ahead of Independence day.
The development came following two eventful days that saw a midnight crackdown on protesting volunteers, leading to the arrest of Yadav and allegations of police high-handedness. Police had also seized their plough.
Addressing a press conference after a meeting with Lt Governor Najeeb Jung, Yadav, flanked by AAP MP Dharamveera Gandhi and the party's Timarpur MLA Pankaj Pushkar, said Swaraj Abhiyan will temporarily install the plough and earthen pots brought from across the country in the capital after August 15.

"The plough, which is a symbol of prestige for us, will be returned to us as promised by the LG. We will install it temporarily for the time being but eventually we will take it to Delhi Race Course.
"LG apprised us about certain security issues and has requested us not to hold any protests in the city till August 15. We have taken his request into consideration and have decided to honour it," Yadav said.
The group urged people to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to address the farmers' issues in his Independence day speech from the ramparts of Red Fort.

"On Independence Day we will hold a dialogue in a rural area and will analyse his speech with farmers," Yadav said.

The move is seen as a climbdown as earlier in the day the group had announced its decision to sit on a fast at Jantar Mantar, despite police denying permission to carry out any further protests at the site.
"It seems Independence day is not for the farmers. For once acknowledge the truth that farmers' in this country are not committing suicides owing to love affairs but distress. Spell out your (PM) agricultural policy in your speech," Yadav said.

Ruling out any immediate plan to hit the streets in the national capital, the former AAP leader said Swaraj Abhiyan would reach out to at least "1 lakh villages" in the next six months in garnering support for a "bigger movement".
"The rap on the police by the magistrate and the Delhi High Court is a victory for us this time around... The movement is not over. We will stage a bigger comeback," Yadav said.
Besides Yadav and Pushkar, Prashant Bhushan, who is also a leader of Swaraj Abhiyan, also met Jung though the advocate was not present at the press conference.