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

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.