INDIA: Government reaches agreement with landless protesters in northern Agra city
Record ID:
1376950
INDIA: Government reaches agreement with landless protesters in northern Agra city
- Title: INDIA: Government reaches agreement with landless protesters in northern Agra city
- Date: 12th October 2012
- Summary: AGRA, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (OCTOBER 11, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) INDIA'S RURAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTER JAIRAM RAMESH, SITTING ON THE STAGE WITH LANDLESS PROTEST ACTIVISTS LANDLESS PROTESTERS SITTING RAMESH SIGNING THE PACT TO PROVIDE LAND TO THE POOR RAMESH AND ACTIVISTS SHOWING THE AGREEMENT TO THE AUDIENCE FROM THE STAGE PROTESTERS LISTENING TO A SPEAKER'S ADDRESS CROWD OF MEDIAPERSONS BEFORE THE STAGE PROTESTERS SITTING (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) INDIA'S RURAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTER JAIRAM RAMESH, SAYING: "Today is a historic day as the Ekta Parishad and the rural development ministry and the government of India have mutually arrived at an agreement." PROTESTERS SITTING IN THE AUDIENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) INDIA'S RURAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTER JAIRAM RAMESH, SAYING: "Governments should be both responsible and sensitive. We are responsible which explains the creation of an economic environment that boosts investments, which generates employment opportunities. We are sensitive towards the common man hence the voice of the Jansatyagrahis (protestors) have been heard." PROTESTERS LISTENING TO RAMESH'S ADDRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) INDIA'S RURAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTER JAIRAM RAMESH, SAYING: "I would request Mr. Rajagopal and his aides to continue maintaining pressure on the government. Not just on the federal government but also on the provincial governments. Not just the Prime Minister and the Rural Development Minister but also the chief ministers and specially the provincial ministers." PROTESTERS LISTENING TO THE SPEECH UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE THE TAJ MAHAL GARDENERS WATERING THE LAWNS BEFORE THE MONUMENT (GOOD SHOT)
- Embargoed: 27th October 2012 01:21
- Keywords:
- Location: India
- Country: India
- Topics: Politics,People
- Reuters ID: LVA9FKDDLISRD3Z84EDAOIL5PRAZ
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: The Indian government bowed before the demands of thousands of landless protesters marching towards New Delhi in Agra city of the Taj Mahal on Thursday (October 11).
In a historic development federal Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh met the landless protestors and inked a pact to provide land to the poor.
Amidst massive cheering by protesters, Ramesh signed the truce agreement following, which the march to New Delhi was called off.
"Today is a historic day as the Ekta Parishad and the rural development ministry and the government of India have mutually arrived at an agreement," said Ramesh.
Thousands of landless poor peasants from across India had camped up in Agra in their relentless endeavour to the national capital demanding a fair share of land and resources.
Activists say the only way to help millions out of poverty is by providing them with small tracts of land on which they can build their homes and carry out agriculture practices - helping them become self sufficient.
Ramesh said the Congress led federal government had acted responsibly by lending an ear to the protesters and ending the impasse.
"Governments should be both responsible and sensitive. We are responsible which explains the creation of an economic environment that boosts investments, which generates employment opportunities. We are sensitive towards the common man hence the voice of the Jansatyagrahis (protestors) have been heard," said Ramesh.
Hope was driving the 25,000-strong landless people as they walk under an intense sun in daytime temperatures up to 43 degrees Celsius and slept on roads with the sky as their roof, with the mercury dipping in the range of 15 to 20 degrees at night.
While extending support to the cause of the protesters Ramesh further urged the organisations spearheading the movement like the Gandhian outfit 'Ekta Parishad' led by activist PV Rajagopal to pursue the cause till the end.
"I would request Mr. Rajagopal and his aides to continue maintaining pressure on the government. Not just on the federal government but also on the provincial governments. Not just the Prime Minister and the Rural Development Minister but also the chief ministers and specially the provincial ministers," said Ramesh.
The 350 kilometre march started from Gwalior city in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday (October 02).
Property has become a huge political issue in India where there is a constant tussle for land between agencies who want it for economic growth and those who want to provide growth to its population.
Last year there were massive protests between farmers and police on the outskirts of New Delhi over the acquisition of agricultural land for builders. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None