Farmers Movement Archive

Peaceful protests nationwide mark farmers’ Bharat Bandh

The Bharat Bandh called by the farmers’ unions, protesting against the recent farm sector laws, affected normal life on Tuesday in large parts of northern India, especially Punjab, as well as Odisha, and the southern States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Farm unions under the banner of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha claimed that more than 50 lakh people participated in the Bharat Bandh call at 20,000 locations across the country. At least 25 political parties supported the bandh, along with trade unions, retail and transport associations and many professional bodies. Pre-emptive arrests Large numbers of protestors and leaders, including several legislators, were detained during the day, both pre-emptively and during the agitation. Major highways around Delhi, and in parts of northern India faced a chakka jam until 3 p.m. Farm unions have been agitating for more than two months, demanding the repeal of three contentious Central laws meant to reform agricultural marketing. They fear the laws will affect government procurement at minimum support prices and benefit large corporates to the detriment of the small farmer. At a press conference at the Singhu border, farmer leaders claimed success. “It is very clear today that the struggle is not just restricted to Punjab, and not just restricted to farmers. This has become a struggle across all sections of society in India. The government of India now knows it doesn’t have a way out,” said Gurnam Singh Chaduni, leader of one of the biggest factions of the Bharatiya Kisan Union in Haryana. Shops and businesses were closed in many parts of Punjab. Farmers, trade bodies and government employee associations held sit-ins on key roads, including national and State highways, as well as near railway tracks, severely disrupting traffic. Public transport, including buses and taxis, were hardly seen plying on the roads. Fuel stations were also closed. Supply of essential commodities was disrupted at a few places during the shutdown, which remained peaceful. In Chandigarh, however, most markets remained open.

The Hindu

2020-12-09

NEW DELHI