Agra denies BJP permission for yatra

District authorities in Agra have cancelled the permission granted to BJP for holding a farmers’ rally led by party leaders L.K. Advani and Varun Gandhi in Akola village on Sunday on the grounds that it could disturb law and order situation.

BJP sources said the party had received permission in writing from authorities eight weeks back to hold ‘Kisaan Swabhimaan’ rally in Fatehpur Sikri area in Agra, but on Thursday night senior police and administrative officials informed the party that it has been cancelled, fearing law and order problem.

Claiming that the rally was for farmers and there was no political agenda, the party said cancellation of permission amounted to trampling of democracy and freedom of speech.