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Addressing thousands of farmers at a ''Kisan Mahapanchayat'' here, Gandhi said the Uttar Pradesh government was not listening to farmers and denying them rightful compensation for land acquired from them.
"Land of lakhs of farmers is being taken in Uttar Pradesh and being given to builders. When farmers say give us our rights, they have to face bullets," Gandhi said.
"Wherever I go, farmers say that if their land is taken then they should get the right price for it. 'We are killed and the government doesn't even talk to us if we talk about our rights'," Gandhi quoted farmers as saying.
Winding up his four-day 'padyatra' in the battle against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, the Congress leader accused her government of acquiring farmers' lands for golf courses and racing tracks and firing upon poor farmers when they protest.
Capping his 70-km foot march through the villages of Greater Noida and Aligarh district with the 'kisan mahapanchayat', he rejected criticism that he was enacting a "drama", apparently referring to Mayawati's description of his march as "nautanki".
Using some strong words for his rival in the campaign seen as preparations for the next year Assembly elections, Gandhi said that in Uttar Pradesh a farmer gets to know about the acquisition of his land only when the builder comes and tells him that the land belongs to him.
"In UP, we are not against development or making roads. But this land is being taken away to make golf courses, colonies and racing track from farmers and that is why they are angry.
"The farmer says if in Lucknow a rich person's land is taken he is given the market rate but when it comes to a poor farmer he is fired upon, beaten, and government does not talk to us," Gandhi said.
An estimated crowd of about 10,000-15,000 farmers attended the Mahapanchayat, whose venue became soggy in early morning rains, capping the padyatra that began in the villages of Bhatta-Parsaul, the epicentre of a violent agitation against land acquisition in Greater Noida in May.
Admitting that that the existing land laws were outdated and there was a need to change them, Gandhi assured the farmers that the UPA government will introduce a new Land Acquisition Bill in Lok Sabha.
Comparing Uttar Pradesh farmers to those in Haryana, he said that Haryanvi farmers got a better price for their land.
In Haryana, the government pays fair price to farmers, informs them in advance about their land being acquired, he said, adding the problem in Uttar Pradesh was that the government doesn't talk to farmers as its intent is doubtful.
Dismissing criticism about his campaign, Gandhi said many people felt it was a drama. "A politician needs to go to people and talk to them and that is what I believe," he said.
Referring to land acquisition law, Gandhi said some farmers are worried about it because it is old and they have problems with it.
"We will try to bring such a law that will benefit the farmer. But only changing the law won't help because the same law exists in Haryana and UP but Haryana government takes people into confidence and talks to them.
"UP government doesn't talk to the people. When a farmer demands his rights, government orders firing on him," he said.
Gandhi said after the agitation in Bhatta-Parsaul, Mayawati came out with a new policy on land acquisition which he said will not benefit the affected people there. "That is why I set out on this padyatra," he added.
He said when farmers protested in Bhatta-Parsaul two months ago, police fired and some of them died. It was sad that these farmers had done nothing wrong and he came to know about this when he visited these places. They only told the government that if the government wants their land, pay adequate compensation but police in turn fired and beat them up.
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The political scenario is leading to dooms day as opportunist politicians like Rahul Gandhi are now fighting for their share of the loot. Why this hoopla in UP where farmers all over the country, e.g., Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra etc., are crying for justice. Save Indian polity from such dangerous politicians that continue to loot the country where povery has increased to the point that 75% of population lives on Rs. 100 a day. Death of Congress led government alone will save the country.
I guess Rahul Gandhi is the greatest showman of India.He do not know what really lacks farmers in India,he can see position of farmers in Maharashtra,Orissa and Bihar.in these states farmers are dominated and humialted by landlords and landmafia.
All political parties are responsible this mess of land acquisition because of unclear lan acquisition policy. Congress is major one to biam as it has rulled the most. What congress has done in last 6 years in center for this policy? Even what congress rulled states are doing for this policy? Look at the situation of so many SEZ in Maharashtra. This government has can't make a policy which can lead to overall development of the country. if a group of citizons will try to lead it in a direction then these poeple will feel un-comfortable and will make hue-cry in name of interfairance in democratic process. Somebody must be questioning their inaction.
Rahul is a political Shikhandi and lack will to take any concrete steps to eradicate problems. If he is that serious then mothe rof scams are happeing in his Party's rule. If he that serious then why all drama of these panchayats in non-congress ruled states. He has done nothing to address the issue of Kisan suicides in Maharashtra and Andhra Praesh that is ruled by COngress..All Nautanki at the behest of Digvijay Singh.,