The Bharat Bandh, a nationwide closedown called for by farmers protesting the farm laws will run from 11 am to 3 pm, with transport services, offices and shops in some states and cities likely to be affected.
Several opposition parties in the country, including the Congress, the TRS, the DMK, Aam Aadmi Party and more have voiced their support for the Bandh.
Here’s how the bandh will spread pass around the states of the nation
Maharashtra: The MVA government (Maha Vikas Aghadi), the ruling alliance of the Shiv Sena, Congress, and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have supported the Bharat Bandh. Offices in major cities like Mumbai, Pune, Navi Mumbai, Nashik may continue to operate but highways in rural areas of Marathwada and Vibadhra could be blocked. Also, the markets are expected to remain shut.
Bihar: Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress and Left parties have supported the call for the bandh in Bihar. Tejashwi Yadav-led RJD has declared protests across the state due to which the police fear major blockades.
Uttar Pradesh: Thousands of protesters from Uttar Pradesh have marched to Delhi. Opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party, Congress and Bahujan Samaj Party have extended their support. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked officials not to compromise with peace and order at and take all necessary steps for safeguarding that people do not face any problem amid proposed ‘Bharat Bandh’.
Punjab: All opposition parties except Biju Janata Dal and YSR Congress and major labour and worker unions have extended support to the Bandh which is likely to have major impact in Punjab.
Farmers who have been protesting for the past 13 days are chiefly from the northern states. All political parties, traders’ bodies, mandi associations and more have extended support to the call. Employees of Punjab government in various districts have also decided to go on one-day mass leave in support of the ‘Bharat Bandh’ call. The Sikh Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC), the highest religious body of Sikhs, also made clear that the strike will be complete.
Haryana: Some legislators of Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala-led Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) extended support to the protest. All markets in the state are expected to remain shut with farmers’ organisations planning blockades around major highways. Navdeep Singh Virk, Haryana’s additional DG of police (law and order) stated that people may have to face traffic blockages while travelling on Tuesday. He elaborated that arrangements have been made by the civil and police administration in Haryana.
Meanwhile, the government on Monday issued an advisory to the states and Union Territories to tighten security and maintain peace. "The state governments and UT administrations must ensure that the Covid-19 guidelines with regard to health and social distancing are strictly followed," the advisory read.
