New Delhi: ‘Bharat bandh’ has received an unprecedented response said the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM).
“The Bharat Bandh has received an unprecedented response so far, beyond anyone’s expectations. Complete shut-down has been reported in states like Punjab, Haryana, Kerala, Bihar, where all kinds of institutions, markets and transport have been closed. The call for Bharat Bandh has received extensive support in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. Reports are awaited from other parts of the country.”
A section of the trade unions and civil society groups held a protest at Jantar Mantar in solidarity with the ‘Bharat Bandh’. Holding banners that read “Long Live Farmers Unity”, demanding a repeal of the three farm laws and equal opportunities for all, the protesters held a march at Jantar Mantar.
Bharat Bandh has been called by farmer organisations from 6 am to 4 pm on Monday. During this, the police are on alert in Delhi, UP and adjoining areas. More than a dozen political parties, organisations have supported this bandh.
The protests are carried out peaceful said the demonstrators, but schools, colleges, shops, government and private offices, educational and other institutions, industries and commercial establishments will be closed across the country, the SKM said.
Shambhu border near Haryana is blocked by the farmers. The state police on Sunday said people to be prepared to face traffic congestion. “It is expected the agitating groups may sit on dharna on roads and highways and block them for some time. The national and state highways in Haryana may see some traffic disruptions for several hours,” a state police spokesperson said.
Oppositions’ support to farmers
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, National Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav, National President of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Mayawati and President of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, Navjot Singh Sidhu has tweeted their support to the bandh.
Tikait on protest
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Sunday said farmers are ready to protest for 10 years, but will not allow the ‘black’ legislations to be implemented. “It has been 10 months of this agitation. The government must listen with open ears that even if we have to agitate for 10 years we are ready,” Mr Tikait said at a farmers’ gathering in Panipat.
The centre has denied the allegations and offered to amend the laws after wide discussions with farmers. The centre says the farm laws are in fact beneficial for farmers as some of the provisions cut out middlemen, who exploit farmers. But the farmers have stuck to nothing less than complete withdrawal of the three laws.
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