Farmers' rights day to mark Rahul's birthday

In an effort to keep the land acquisition issue alive, the Congress on Monday announced that it will celebrate party general secretary Rahul Gandhi's birthday as farmers' rights day across the country.

While criticising the Mayawati government for the alleged police atrocities against protesting farmers in Bhatta-Parsaul villages in Gautam Budhha Nagar on May 7, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Rita Bahaguna Joshi said the party general secretary's birthday on June 19 will be celebrated as 'Kisan Adhikar Divas.'

The party will try to create awareness among people about farmers' rights and advocate that adequate changes in the land acquisition law be made soon, she added.

At a workers' meeting at Greater Noida, UP, a 25-member committee of local leaders was formed under the leadership of Joshi to prepare for the Maha Panchayat at Bhatta in the last week of June.

Rahul Gandhi will chair the meet and hear farmers' problems. As many as 2 lakh farmers are expected to attend it. Once the date will be finalised on Tuesday, the party will apply for permission from district administration.