BJP to observe black day against farmer crackdown

BJP said it would observe "black day" in Uttar Pradesh today to protest the police crackdown on farmers in Greater Noida and demanded that immediate talks be held with the agitating peasants to address their genuine grievances. Trouble spots and fresh demands

BJP on Sunday said it would observe "black day" in Uttar Pradesh on Monday to protest the police crackdown on farmers in Greater Noida and demanded that immediate talks be held with the agitating peasants to address their genuine grievances.

HT Image

"Black day would be observed at all district headquarters from Greater Noida to Agra to protest against use of brutal force by State Government to suppress the agitation and against its dictatorial approach and anti-farmer policies," state BJP chief Surya Pratap Shahi said in a statement.

Calling it a "Hitler like approach" by the state government, Shahi said party leaders and workers would wear black badges to protest against the state government.

The party further demanded a magisterial inquiry into the use of force against the protesting farmers of Bhatta Parsaul village in Greater Noida.

"BJP urges the state government to immediately hold talks with farmers and address their genuine grievances, provide compensation to the kith and kin of farmers killed in police action and hold a magisterial inquiry into use of force against peacefully agitating farmers," Shahi said.

Farmers in Greater Noida and Agra have been protesting against forcible acquisition of their farmlands by the state government. BJP further said state government has "deliberately conspired" to suppress the agitation by using "brute force against the farmers".

"Instead of talking to them, the state government has resorted to bullets and lathis against people who do not agree with its dictates related to land acquisition. The state government wants to even deny farmers’ the right to raise their demands and protest against use of excessive force by police," the party said in the statement.

Earlier on Sunday, a delegation led by BJP President Nitin Gadkari, met the farmers injured in police action at a Noida hospital.