Agitation against land ordinance: PM's achhe din only for industrialists, says Anna Hazare

New Delhi: The crusader from Ralegan Sidhi is a bit mellowed now. Back in action three years after the long-drawn Lok Pal agitation, he appears more measured in his expressions, and less combative. But make no mistake. The 77-year-old social activist still carries the old fire to fight for public causes. Leading the farmers’ agitation against the NDA government’s land ordinance, he is preparing for the long haul. He had announced that he would conduct a ‘padyatra’ (journey by foot) from Sevagram to Delhi, which would culminate in a Jail Bharo Aandolan. He spoke to Firstpost during his stay in Delhi.

Excerpts from Anna Hazare’s interview:

Why did you say in Bijnor that PM Narendra Modi was ‘allergic’ to you?

I’m again saying that Narendra Modi would neither call me to discuss the issue of the land ordinance nor accept my suggestions, because he is ‘allergic’ to me (smiles). During the Lok Sabha election, I had called him pro-industrialist and that makes him allergic to me.

Why ‘Jail Bharo Andolan’ this time? Do you feel the issue does not merit a fast?

I have to live for my farmers. I don’t want to fall ill or die by undertaking fasting. Now, this time it will be ‘Jail Bharo’. It’ll be a mass movement, an agitation against the central government, which is more atrocious than the British. It’s anti-poor and anti-farmer. The PM wants to provide ‘achche din’ (good days) that he promised before the general election to industrialists and corporates, and not to farmers and the common man.

So, what is your planning for the mass movement this time?

We’ve called a meeting at Sevagram, Wardha on 9 March, which will be attended by some of those members who were present during the three-day farmers’ rally at Jantar Mantar. There we’ll decide our modus operandi. We want volunteers and no ‘netas’ (leaders) to take this movement forward in a dedicated way. I’ll undertake a ‘padyatra’ from Sevagram – Mahatma Gandhi’s ashram – to Delhi, which may take two to two-and-a-half months’ time. Since I’m old, I may take time to reach Delhi, but it’ll happen. Now, the government has moved a Bill 2015, without making any changes in the ordinance and without consulting the farmers at large. Our aim will be to spread awareness against the ills of this Bill, which the government wants to push through, and to bring as many farmers and volunteers in the fold of our movement.

Are you going to invite other political parties in your movement and padyatra?

Not at all. It’ll be a farmers’ movement — by the farmers and for the farmers. But, if any political party wants, it can come separately. We don’t want flags of political parties in this movement.

What changes do you want to be brought in the land ordinance?

We demanded that the government revoke the ordinance. But instead of doing it, they have come up with a Bill without making any changes. It’s still anti-farmer and the intention is to provide benefit to the corporate sector. How can the government be so insensitive towards the farmers, who produce food for us? The government has to remove those ‘anti-farmer’ clauses like forcible acquisition of land, etc. It should bring in Social Impact Assessment, proper plan to compensate the farmers, and their rehabilitation and resettlement.

Would you meet Union minister Nitin Gadkari, who has wished to meet you to discuss the issue?

Our doors are open for all. If he wants, he can meet us.

What option do you have, if the Centre gets the land bill passed without making any changes what-so-ever?

We have made it very clear that the farmers’ agitation will continue across the country till the issue gets completely resolved. This ordinance is trying to gag the farmers’ rights and strangulate our democracy. The government is failing to understand that the people’s parliament (Jan Sansad) is more powerful than Parliament in Delhi, and the former can uproot the latter. The rally organised at Jantar Mantar on 23 February, is in fact, an extension of the farmers’ movement that began in Maharashtra some 17 years back.

What compelled you to share the dais with the political parties and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on 24 February at Jantar Mantar?

I joined them on 23 and 24 February, as they wanted me to be there with them. The dais is not important, it’s the common goal that we share which is important. I went to different places like Palwal, Bijnor, etc and became a part of the rally, without discriminating whether it was by a political party or any other. Even Arvind Kejriwal came and first sat on the ground, and those on dais later pulled him up.

According to you, what should the government do to resolve this issue of land acquisition permanently?

Till now, no land mapping has been conducted in the country, which is a must. Based on it, the land could be categorised into various grades as per its fertility and quality. Then, there should have been a law to give land to the industry on the basis of its grade. But, nothing has been done in so many decades. As the government claims to be benevolent towards the farmers, why is farmers’ land not given on lease to the industry? The farmers should also be involved in the industry, so that after giving the land, they don’t die of hunger and poverty. We’ve been talking about strengthening Gram Sabhas, the mother of Lok Sabha for a long time. Seeking permission of Gram Sabha should be made mandatory for acquisition of land.