Farmer unions have called for a Bharat Bandh on Monday, as part of their ongoing protests against the farm laws. September 27 marks one year of the passage of the Centre’s three farm laws.
“It was on September 27 that President Ram Nath Kovind assented to and brought into force the three anti-farmer black laws last year. Tomorrow, there will be a total Bharat Bandh observed around the country from 6 am to 4 pm,” Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), the umbrella body of over 40 farm unions spearheading the agitation, had said in a statement.
Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait on Sunday said farmers protesting against the central farm laws for the last 10 months are ready to agitate for 10 years, but will not allow the “black” legislations to be implemented.
Appealing all Indians to join the shutdown, the farm leaders had put out guidelines and have called for a ‘peaceful’ agitation.
During the bandh which will be held from 6am to 4pm, central and state government offices, markets, shops, factories, schools, colleges and other educational institutions will not be allowed to function. Public and private transport will not be allowed to ply on roads. No public functions will be allowed, the SKM said. All emergency establishments and essential services, including hospitals, medical stores, relief and rescue work and people attending to personal emergencies will be exempted.
The SKM had also asked political parties to "stand with farmers in their quest to defend principles of democracy and federalism".
Delhi: The Delhi Police has intensified patrolling and deployed extra personnel at pickets in border areas of national capital ahead of the Bharat Bandh'. Pickets at the border areas have been strengthened and all vital installations, including India Gate and Vijay Chowk will have adequate deployment. All roads connecting Delhi through villages near border areas will be strictly checked.
Punjab: The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief Navjot Singh Sidhu on Sunday urged all party workers to protest against the "three unconstitutional black laws". “In the war of right and wrong, you cannot afford to be neutral!! We urge every Congress worker to fight with all their might against the three Unconstitutional Black Laws!!," he tweeted.
Haryana: The Haryana Police on Sunday issued an advisory hinting at possible disruption of traffic due to blockage of road and highways in the state. The police said that elaborate arrangements have been put in place by the civil and the police administrations in the state.
Uttar Pradesh: Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati said her party will support the Bharat Bandh. "The farmers of the country do not endorse the three farm laws brought in a hurry by the centre, and are sad about it. They have been protesting for the past 10 months in the country and aggressively, especially around Delhi," Mayawati said.
Kerala: Bharat Bandh likely to bring the state to a grinding halt with both the ruling LDF and the opposition UDF backing it. The state has already announced that all university examinations scheduled for Monday would be postponed. Public transport including buses, taxis, and auto-rickshaws will be off the road. Shops and establishments would remain shut.
Tamil Nadu: The ruling DMK has appealed to the people, farmers, farm workers and traders to take part in the proposed nationwide strike.
Karnataka: Apart from farmer unions, The All-India Bank Officers’ Confederation, the All India Centre of Trade Unions (AICTU), auto-rickshaw drivers and the state Congress unit have extended their support to the protest. Bengaluru traffic police have banned traffic movement on KG Road via Halasur gate police station and Nrupatunga Road on Monday.
Andhra Pradesh: The Andhra Pradesh government has declared full support to the Bharat Bandh on September 27, and also to workers of Visakhapatnam steel plant, state Information and Transport Minister Perni Venkataramaiah said on Saturday.
