Farmers Movement Archive

Bharat bandh evokes mixed response in Rajasthan

JAIPUR: The Bharat bandh called by farmers against the three agriculture laws of the Centre evoked mixed response in Rajasthan on Monday. Major impact of the bandh was visible mainly in agriculture-dominated Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh districts, where major mandis and markets remained closed. Farmer-labourer organisations took out a rally in Jaipur and forced traders to down shutters. Office bearers of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), including state president of Bharatiya Kisan Union Rajaram Meel, took out a tractor rally in the city. Shops pulled down shutters during the rally but those in the colonies and interior areas remained open. A shopkeeper closes his shopThe rally was taken out by farmers, workers, students, youth, women, social organisations from Martyrs Memorial at Government Hostel via MI Road, Sanganeri Gate, Badi Chaupar, Chhoti Chaupar, Chandpole Bazaar, Sanjay Circle, Sindhi Camp Bus Stand, Khasa Kothi Circle and reached district collectorate. Groups of students and youth were seen in the markets appealing to the traders to close the shops. The SKM, which is leading the agitation against the three farm laws, had given the call for ‘Bharat bandh’. The effect of the shutdown was visible in Bikaner, Sikar and Nagaur too. Mandis and markets were partially closed in cities and towns of these districts. Agitating farmers blocked the major roads and held meetings. The bandh affected train services in the border districts. The ruling Congress party supported the bandh. Congress Seva Dal and Youth Congress workers participated in the agitation. Seva Dal rally was inaugurated by PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra, alleged that PM Modi and home minister Amit Shah had agreement with industrialists before bringing three black laws. The industrialists who donated huge amount in the form of election donations, had built warehouses in advance. So government is not ready to withdraw this black law. Enacted in September last year, the three farm laws have been projected by the Centre as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove the middlemen and allow farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the country. However, the protesting farmers have expressed their apprehension that the legislations would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of Minimum Support Price (MSP) and do away with the ‘mandi’ (wholesale market) system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates.

The Times of India

2021-09-28

Jaipur