Anna Hazare's protest against Land Acquisition Ordinance: As it happened on Monday

Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare will hold a two-day protest at Jantar Mantar from Monday, on the day the Budget Session of the Parliament commences.

New Delhi: Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare began a two-day protest against Modi government's controversial Land Acquisition Ordinance at Jantar Mantar on Monday, the day when Budget Session of the Parliament also commenced.

Hazare is holding the protest to demand the withdrawal of the anti-farmer amendments to the Land Acquisition Act, 2013.

Here are the live updates of the events:

• HM Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah will apprise PM Modi on all matters that we discussed during the meet, says Ananth Kumar.
• Had detailed discussion on issues being raised by farmer organizations on land ordinance: BJP leader Ananth Kumar on party parliamentary board meet.
• Anna's protest saw a group of about 100 students from an engineering college in Bijnor in UP turning up to offer their support for the farmers' cause. Donning their college uniform and sporting 'Anna caps', young boys and girls of the RV Institute of Technology (RVIT) were seen waving the tricolour and chanting "Anna, Anna" at Jantar Mantar, where they have come to fulfil an initiative taken as part of their college fest, as per PTI.
• We told Anna ji we will join his protest, land acquisition bill is against farmers, adds Sisodia.
• AAP to join Anna's anti-land ordinance protest tomorrow at Jantar Mantar at 3 pm, says Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia.
• Kejriwal meets Anna Hazare along with Deputy Delhi CM Manish Sisodia.
• Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal arrives at Maharashtra Sadan to meet Anna Hazare.
• Voicing strong opposition to the Land Acquisition Ordinance, the Assam Government on Monday extended full support to social activist Anna Hazare in his fight against the Ordinance, according to PTI.

• Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar on Monday said that the Land Acquisition Ordinancebrought by the BJP-led government at the Centre was not in favour of the farmers. "This is not only a movement of Anna Hazare but everyone is angry. We [Congress] brought the Act [Land Acquisition] for the betterment of the farmers of this country that too with the support of the BJP," Aiyar told ANI.

• Bharatiya Janata Party's parliamentary board meeting over land acquisition bill will be held today evening at Home Minister Rajnath Singh's residence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend the meeting. 
• Anna Hazare ends his address.
• The law was framed by both Congress and BJP after coming to power in 2013. However, after coming to power with majority, the NDA government framed this law. What was the need when the Act was passed in 2013?
• Anna Hazare also warned of a massive agitation against the government. He says, “will return to Ramlila Maidan with 'jail bharo andolan' in four months if the government does not listen to farmers' demands.” 
• You have to fight this second war for independence but the movement should be completely 'non-violence'.
• Earlier, the provision was there that if an industry was not built on the land taken from the farmer, then it would be returned to them. The provision is not there any more.
• I never followed cameras in my entire life. I request workers to stay away from cameras and work for the society.
• Britishers, who ruled us, created the Land Acquisition Bill to loot our farmers.
• If 70 per cent of people say that they don't want to give the land, then the government won't be able to take the land. The government has changed the provision.
• An injustice has been done by the government by introducing the land acquisition ordinance. 
• Anna Hazare is addressing the people present at the protest venue.
• While interacting with the mediapersons, he said that the agitation is not against any person or party but for the benefit of farmers. “The BJP went for an ordinance on land acquisition which is not in favour of democracy,” he was quoted by ANI. On the issue of AAP leader Kumar Vishwas joining the agitation, he said that he is welcome to join the agitation but as part of public. “If people from any political party joins us on stage then people will think that its a party's protest,” he added. He further added that Congress was not voted back to power by people because they must have done something wrong.
• Anna Hazare arrives at protest venue Jantar Mantar.
• Hinting at the government's intent to seek a consensus on passing the land acquisition bill, President Pranab Mukherjee Monday said the interest of farmers and land owners has been protected in the fine-tuning of the bill.

• Shortly after his arrival, Anna Hazare said that the agitation may continue if the government does not take back the “anti-farmer” provisions. “If the government doesn't take the ordinance back, then the people will also continue with their agitation. The activists will make aware the farmers (of the amendments). There is a chance that farmers from across the country will gather at the Ramlila Maidan in the next three-four months,” he told PTI.

• Aam Aadmi Party leader Kumar Vishwas will meet Anna Hazare over the issue of Land Ordinance Bill today, the ANI reported. However, the party is yet to decide whether it will join Anna's movement. 

• Anna Hazare will also meet Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at New Maharashtra Sadan today evening. 

• JD(U) general secretary KC Tyagi has said that the government has proved itself to be “anti-farmer” by bringing the ordinance, the ANI reported.
• Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge told ANI, “Anna Hazare is supporting our Act, will muster the strength of those fighting against the ordinance”. He further added that the decision to support Anna Hazare will be taken by the party.
• Anna Hazare arrives in Delhi. He will reach Jantar Mantar shortly to begin protest.

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