Gandhian activist Anna Hazare has called for a Jail Bharo Andolan (Fill the Jails Movement) against the Land Acquisition ordinance.
Inaugurating a protest march to Parliament by landless tribals in Palwal, Haryana on Friday, he said joint struggles by farmers against the policies of the Centre are the need of the hour.
Hazare had reached here on Thursday to participate in a sit-in organised by various farmers’ organisations, including the All India Kisan Sabha of the CPI(M).
“If the Government does not withdraw the land ordinance, we will launch a nationwide agitation,” he said.
Though he said that his movement will be apolitical, it looks like that many political parties, including the Congress, want to project the septuagenarian social leader as the face of the protests against the Land Acquisition ordinance.
The Congress has invited him to join a protest organised by the party on February 25 against the legislation. Party vice-president Rahul Gandhi is also likely to participate in the protest. “Hazare can join our agitation,” party spokesperson Ajoy Kumar said.
Hazare has already agreed to participate in protests organised by various farmers’ outfits on February 23 and 24 at Jantar Mantar here.
The march of tribals to Jantar Mantar is to press for a comprehensive land reforms policy and for the withdrawal of the Land ordinance.
The march, organised by Ekta Parishad, is held with the cooperation of social activist Medha Patkar and former BJP general secretary Govindacharya.
Earlier, Hazare had termed the Ordinance a fraud upon the people. Announcing his decision to launch protests against the policies of the Centre, he said the Narendra Modi government will take away the rights of farmers.
“It’s time for mass agitation. A number of groups have been agitating for more than a month against the ordinance. Some of them had contacted me. I understand their demands and have decided to join the agitation,” he had added.