New Delhi, July 22 (IANS) A group of 200 farmers reached the Jantar Mantar amid multi-layer security on Thursday to launch their agitation against the three Central farms laws in the heart of the national capital.
On Wednesday, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal gave permission to the Jantar Mantar demonstration on the condition that a maximum of 200 protesters will be allowed till August 9 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
On the first day of the 'Kisan Sansad', the protesting farmers held discussions on the Mandi Act, rollback of the three farm laws, besides demanding that MPs should discuss the farmers' issues during the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Parliament.
The Kisan Sansad was divided into three sessions with each having a separate topic.
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said, "Today we have issued a whip to all the MPs to raise the issue of farm laws in the Parliament. If they don't raise our issues, the farmers will protest against them in their respective parliamentary constitutes."
He said the farmers have gathered at the Jantar Mantar to run a parallel 'Sansad', because the farm issues are not being discussed in the Parliament.
Several non-BJP MPs, especially from the southern part of the counrtry, came to show their solidarity with the agitating farmers, echoing their demand to repeal the three farm laws.
"We have come here to make our voice more strong. The people of this country are aware of what the farmers have gone through in the past few months," Tikait added.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's statement on Friday that India's commitment to a 'No First Use' nuclear policy is subject to future circumstances has found support from the Congress.
The press briefing by the Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary comes hours ahead of "informal consultations" by the United Nations Security Council in New York today.
Ajit Doval, who came here on August 6, took charge of security and development-related activities with a special focus on ensuring that there was no loss of life, they said.
PM Modi wished the chief minister good health and long life. "Birthday greetings to Delhi CM Shri @ArvindKejriwal. Praying for his good health and long life," PM Modi tweeted.
