Farmers' Protest: At mega rally Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal target PM Modi

Delhi Police have not given permission to hold the march from Ramlila grounds to Parliament streets.

Background

Farmers' Protest: Thousands of farmers from different parts of the country have hurdled in New Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan for a two-day protest demanding higher crop prices, farm loan waivers, implementation of the Swaminathan report, among others. The protest march which started on Thursday and reached the national capital, will today move from Ramlila grounds to Parliament Street. United by a growing farm distress, thousands of farmers are protesting against the Central government under All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC). Many top leaders including Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, Loktantrik Janata Dal’s Sharad Yadav and others have confirmed their participation in the rally on Friday. Reports also suggest that two special trains carrying more farmers – one from Maharashtra and other from Karnataka – is expected to arrive in the national capital today. On Thursday night at the Ramlila Maidan, chanting of slogans like ‘Ayodhya nahi, karz maafi chahiye’ resonated and agitating farmers were seen carrying red flags. Volunteers from different organisations organised tents and provided the agitating farmers with water and snacks. However, the Delhi Police has not given permission to the protesting group to hold the march from Ramlila grounds to Parliament streets. The Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana leader Raju Shetti said that if permission is not granted, AIKSCC working committee will decide the next course of action. Shetti is a Lok Sabha MP from Hatkanangle in Kolhapur. Even the Yogendra Yadav-led Swaraj India party has extended its support to the protesting farmers. Speaking to reporters, Yadav said that these farmers are protesting loot and exploitation and entire country has pledged their support. Yadav also claimed that today’s march would be historic. On Thursday, former Prime Minister and JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda visited the farmers’ protest and said that Narendra Modi should personally take a note of this. “I would like to appeal to Union government to try to solve the problem. Farmers are awakened now. They know how to punish. No government can survive without farmers,” he said while speaking to reporters. The agitating farmers on Thursday marched in from Nizamuddin, Sabzi Mandi Station, Anand Vihar Terminal and Bijwasan. Yogendra Yadav led a 'Chalo Dilli' rally from Bijwasan to Ramlila Maidan that has been joined by farmers from Odisha, Haryana and Rajasthan. These agricultural workers gained massive support from activists who took to Twitter and ask the general public to join the march.

30/11/2018 16:09:13

Five months are left, I demand that the Central Govt implement Swaminathan report. Warna 2019 mein ye kisaan qayamat dha denge. PM Modi has 'stabbed' farmers in the back by not keeping promises made to them: Arvind Kejriwal at farmers’ protest in Delhi

30/11/2018 16:08:42

Five months are left, I demand that the Central Govt implement Swaminathan report. Warna 2019 mein ye kisaan qayamat dha denge. PM Modi has 'stabbed' farmers in the back by not keeping promises made to them: Arvind Kejriwal at farmers’ protest in Delhi

30/11/2018 16:04:15

Five months are left, I demand that the Central Govt implement Swaminathan report. Warna 2019 mein ye kisaan qayamat dha denge. PM Modi has 'stabbed' farmers in the back by not keeping promises made to them: Arvind Kejriwal at farmers’ protest in Delhi

30/11/2018 16:03:32

Rahul says "PM Modi only waives crores of loans of industrialists like Anil Ambani....if loans of farmers not waived we will change the PM. If the govt insults farmers and youth, they will ensure its removal."

30/11/2018 15:52:24

Congress president Rahul Gandhi joins the farmers' protest near Parliament. He demands farm loan waiver initiative from the BJP government. He says “Modi ji had promised MSP will be increased, PM promised bonus, but look at the situation right now, empty speeches are being given and nothing else.”

30/11/2018 15:30:04

Congress president Rahul Gandhi joins the farmers' protest near Parliament. He demands farm loan waiver initiative from the BJP government. He says “Modi ji had promised MSP will be increased, PM promised bonus, but look at the situation right now, empty speeches are being given and nothing else.”

30/11/2018 15:47:23

At Delhi’s farmers protest, CPI (M)'s Sitaram Yechury says BJP, Modi & RSS have only one weapon in hand that is Ram Temple. As the elections are approaching, they have started chanting ‘Ram Ram’.

30/11/2018 14:45:24

As many as 850 police personnel, up to the rank of sub-inspectors, have been deployed in the Central district, reporte PTI. They have been augmented by the presence of 12 police companies, including two of women, each comprising 75-80 personnel, a police official said.

30/11/2018 14:42:53

Over 3,500 police personnel have deployed on the route of the march. According to a senior police officer, special arrangements have been made in Central and New Delhi police districts.

30/11/2018 14:30:09

As per reports, Congress President Rahul Gandhi will take part in the farmers' protest rally in the national capital today. Apart from him, leaders from several other political parties have extended support to these agitating farmers who have hurdled in New Delhi from across the country.

30/11/2018 13:07:59

Around 25-30 doctors offered medical aid to the farmers during the rally. Some of them had taken off from work to volunteer for the cause.

30/11/2018 13:02:13

Women participate in the farmers' protest with photographs of their dead husbands, who committed suicide due to farm distress.

30/11/2018 11:51:20

The mega rally include farmers from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. These farmers came in trains, buses and other modes of transport converging at the Ramlila ground to join the protest

30/11/2018 11:40:30

As per the latest update by news agency ANI, the mega rally of farmers have reached Jantar Mantar.

30/11/2018 14:34:56

As per the latest update by news agency ANI, the mega rally of farmers have reached Jantar Mantar.

30/11/2018 14:19:06

Speaking to reporters, Swaraj India chief Yogendra Yadav said, "This is the fourth farmers' march in last year and a half... But there has been no response from the government. This is the biggest anti-farmer government in the history of the country."

30/11/2018 13:44:26

Speaking to reporters, Swaraj India chief Yogendra Yadav said, "This is the fourth farmers' march in last year and a half... But there has been no response from the government. This is the biggest anti-farmer government in the history of the country."

30/11/2018 11:34:44

According to recent report, the state administration has deployed over 3,500 cops in the national capital in view of the protest and also shut down the Sansad Marg for the public.

30/11/2018 11:32:46

According to recent report, the state administration has deployed over 3,500 cops in the national capital in view of the protest and also shut down the Sansad Marg for the public.

30/11/2018 11:30:44

These farmers spent the night at the ground before marching to Parliament on Friday. Inside the tents, farmers, both men and women, from all parts of India tried to sleep in a chilly night, while many sat huddled together, discussing strategy and family issues.

30/11/2018 11:18:41

These farmers spent the night at the ground before marching to Parliament on Friday. Inside the tents, farmers, both men and women, from all parts of India tried to sleep in a chilly night, while many sat huddled together, discussing strategy and family issues.

30/11/2018 11:17:44

Thousands of farmers, including members of Kisan Mukti Morcha, from across the country head towards the Parliament on day two of the protest. Various political leaders, activists and students have extended their support to the agitating farmers.

30/11/2018 11:13:21

Speaking to new agency ANI, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) said, "Traffic police will give real-time updates on Facebook and Twitter of affected traffic routes. Commuters are advised to stay updated. Around 1,000 traffic personnel have been deployed in all these routes to plan diversions and to keep traffic smooth.

30/11/2018 11:14:06

Speaking to new agency ANI, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) said, "Traffic police will give real-time updates on Facebook and Twitter of affected traffic routes. Commuters are advised to stay updated. Around 1,000 traffic personnel have been deployed in all these routes to plan diversions and to keep traffic smooth.

30/11/2018 11:13:21

The commuters in Delhi may face inconvenience as traffic has been diverted in central Delhi due to the ongoing farmers' protest.