The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which is leading the protest against the Centre’s three farm laws, has called for a Bharath Bandh on Friday, March 26. Today will also mark the completion of four months since farmers started their sit-in protest at Delhi’s border to protest against the three farm laws. The farmers’ union has also appealed to the people of the country to make the bandh a success.
“We appeal to the people of the country to make this Bharat Bandh a success and honour their Annadata," union leader Darshan Pal said, reported PTI.
Here’s what you need to know about the March 26 Bharat Bandh:
The complete bandh is going to be observed from 6 am to 6 pm.
All shops and business establishments will remain shut for 12 hours
Rail, road transportation services are likely to get affected due to the bandh.
All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) leader Krishan Prasad said that the bandh will be held at “state, Zila, tehsil and village levels”.
Farm union has made it clear it not mandatory for traders to participate in the Bharat bandh.
The strike has garnered support from Andhra Pradesh's ruling YSR Congress Party that'll join the bandh to protest against the Centre's move to privatise Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP).
The union has also said that on March 28, copies of the three agricultural laws will be burnt in 'Holika Dahan' and on April 5, farmers will 'gherao' offices of Food Corporation of India (FCI) across the country from 11 am to 5 pm.
This is the second call for ‘Bharat Bandh’ by the farmers after a nation-wide strike on December 8. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait said the farmers’ agitation will continue till the time the Centres rolls back the farm laws and provides legal guarantee on MSP.
