Bharat Bandh: Farmers across the country are calling for a Bharat Bandh today to push for their demands from the central government. This shutdown, supported by numerous farmer associations and trade unions, is expected to impact transportation services. Once again, farmers are raising their voices, emphasizing various demands such as a guaranteed minimum support price for agricultural goods.
The protest is led by groups like The Samyukt Kisan Morcha, Thekisan Mazdoor Morcha, and 37 other farmer’s unions. Last Tuesday, farmers initiated their journey towards Delhi to participate in this protest. They are determined to make their concerns heard and seek solutions to their longstanding issues.
As a result of the Bharat Bandh, several essential services may be disrupted, affecting the daily lives of citizens across the nation. This protest highlights the persistent struggles faced by farmers and their unwavering commitment to achieving fair treatment and support from the government.
At the Haryana border, the police detained the farmers. They also put up barriers at the Haryana-Delhi border to stop farmers from entering Delhi. Many police officers were stationed there. Yesterday marked the third day of the protest.
A clash occurred between the police and the farmers. The protest is ongoing despite efforts to block it. As a result, tension is rising at the Delhi border. The farmers have announced that they will continue their peaceful struggle since the talks with the government failed.
Additionally, various agricultural organizations have called for a nationwide shutdown today in support of the farmers’ strike. This shows solidarity with the farmers and their demands for fair treatment.
Several farmer’s organizations and unions, including the Samyukta Kishan Morcha, are calling for a complete blockade of roads. They have announced that Bharat Bandh will take place today from 6 am to 4 pm. Reports suggest that farmers plan to protest by blocking main roads, particularly from 12 noon to 4 pm.
The AIADMK trade union has also declared its participation in the Bharat Bandh. Kamalakannan, the President of the Anna Trade Union Council, stated that all 17 trade unions affiliated with AIADMK will join the protest. In an interview with the media yesterday, Kamalakannan emphasized that the AIADMK union’s participation aims to denounce the central government. He accused the DMK of neglecting the welfare of workers.
Bharat Bandh: What do the farmers want?
Farmers in Punjab and Haryana are once again taking to the streets to demand a law that ensures they receive a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops. They also want improvements to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), the reinstatement of the old pension scheme, and guarantees of pension and social security for all workers, whether they work in formal or informal sectors.
The farmers’ umbrella organization, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking for an MSP based on the Swaminathan formula of C2 50 (which calculates input cost plus 50 percent), legal assurance of crop procurement, debt forgiveness, no increase in electricity rates, and no installation of smart meters. They’re also demanding 300 units of free electricity for farming and household use, comprehensive crop insurance, and an increase in pensions to ₹10,000 per month, among other requests.
As for the government-appointed panel on MSP that was formed after the 2021 farmer’s protest, its fate remains uncertain.
Farmers 2020 Protest
During their protest in 2020, farmers from various states, particularly Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, gathered at the Singhu, Ghazipur, and Tikri borders. They stayed there from August 2020 until December 2021.
To prevent the entry of the farmers, who were moving in a procession of tractors, the police had to quickly arrange logistics in 2020. They wanted to ensure that the farmers did not enter certain areas.
‘Delhi Chalo’ Protest
Farmers from Punjab have set up camps at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders of Punjab and Haryana. They want to march towards Delhi to push the central government to meet their demands.
The Delhi Police is getting ready to stop Punjab farmers from entering the national capital for their ‘Dilli Chalo’ protest. An official mentioned that the police have ordered over 30,000 tear gas shells as part of their preparations.
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