The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) called for a Bharat Bandh (nationwide strike) today, the 27th of September, Monday. The strike which started at 6:00 A.M., would continue till 4:00 P.M., against the three farm laws.
On the 26th of September, the SKM, an umbrella body of 40 farmers unions announced the bandh and said, “It was on September 27, 2020 that President Shri Ram Nath Kovind assented to and brought into force the three anti-farmer black laws last year. Tomorrow, there will be a total Bharat Bandh observed around the country from 6 A.M., to 4 P.M.” The Union further said, “It is a day to express support to the annadatas (farmers) of the country, the ones who keep all Indians alive.”
The three farm laws which were proposed and passed by the Central Government in September 2020 witnessed criticism and protest from farmers.
According to the farmers the three laws: Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020, would take away Mandi System and Minimum Support Price (MSP) leaving them at the mercy of corporators.
Marking a year long protest against the three farm laws, the SKM called for the bandh and asked the Government of India (GoI) to revoke orders of the three farm laws. Farmers staged protests on all national highways and raised voices against the Centre. The farmers have blocked 14 national highways and are conducting peaceful protests so far.
Extending support to the Union, Mr. Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, declared a State holiday. Schools, colleges, educational institutions, offices and private firms are to remain closed in Andhra Pradesh today. Besides A.P., southern states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala also extended their support to the nationwide strike. States like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Punjab also support the strike.
Political parties like the Indian National Congress (INC,) the Samajwadi Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) also support the bandh. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) does not support the bandh, but extended support to farmers and asked the Central Government to withdraw the law. Ms. Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal said, “Our government does not support bandhs, but the TMC fully supports the issue. The Centre must withdraw the three draconian farm laws immediately.”
Meanwhile, in the states ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP,) tight security has been arranged, ensuring farmer bodies and opposition parties do not disrupt normal life of people. Additional security forces have been deployed in all districts of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Bihar.
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