Farmers Movement Archive

All mandis to remain shut in Rajasthan to support Bharat bandh

JAIPUR: All the 247 anaj mandis and six fruits and vegetable mandis of Rajasthan will remain shut in support of Bharat Bandh call by farmers on Tuesday, said Babu Lal Gupta, chairman of Rajasthan Khaddya Padarth Vyapar Sangh. Meanwhile, various farmers’ organisations including Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha, Kisaan and Mahapanchayat will march to New Delhi on Tuesday. They will also block Jaipur-Delhi highway on their way to Delhi at Bilaspur border. “There will be no business transactions in these mandis on Tuesday. It was decided during our executive body meeting,” said Gupta. Apart from this, the state Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), CPI-M, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Bar Council of Rajasthan, transporters’ associations, ration dealers’ association and several other market associations have extended their support to the bandh. Meanwhile, chief minister Ashok Gehlot has appealed for maintaining peace. “The farmers of Punjab and Haryana who have been agitating so far have received a good response all over the country as they have been raising their voice in a very peaceful and non-violent manner for the last 12 days,” said the chief minister after a meeting with police officials. Jaipur’s Muhana Mandi president, Rahul Tanvar said, “We fully support the farmers in their cause and oppose the Centre’s three black laws. Hence, we will remain shut on Tuesday. All the small vegetable mandis will also remain shut.” Pradesh Kisaan Sangharsh Samiti led by Himmat Singh also appealed to all the shopkeepers and businessmen to support the bandh. Earlier, Akhil Bharatiya Kisaan Sangharsh Coordination Committee had appealed to the business community and other sections of society to come out in support of Bharat Bandh. The three farm laws that are being opposed by the farmers of Punjab and Haryana are — the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation); The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services and The Essential Commodities (Amendment). BJP-ally RLP extends support to bandh Jaipur: Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP), an ally of the NDA, extended its support to the ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by the agitating farmers. Party convener and Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal announced the decision of the party on Sunday. He said the party supporters will march to Delhi on December 12 in support of the agitating farmers after the ongoing panchayat polls. Beniwal also said he will take a decision on his party’s support to NDA-led government after December 8. He sought the intervention of the Prime Minister as there are protests all over the country regarding the agricultural bills. The farmers are dissatisfied with the bill which calls for PM’s immediate attention. He demanded the implementation of the MS Swaminathan committee report in toto.

The Times of India

2020-12-08

Jaipur