Bharat Bandh: Workers and farmers have called for a sectoral industrial strike and Grameen Bharat Bandh on Friday, February 16.
Non-political farmers’ organisation Samyukta Kisan Morcha has called all farmer associations of a similar mindset to unite for the Bharat Bandh on February 16. The protest will be held for a day which will last from 6 am to 4 pm.
According to a report by The Indian Express, farmers plan to stage large-scale chakka jams on main roads across the country from 12 PM to 4 PM, leading to the closure of most state and national highways in Punjab for four hours.
Several public intellectuals and artists released a collective statement, on Wednesday, endorsing the joint appeal made by workers and farmers for a sectoral industrial strike and Grameen Bharat Bandh on February 16.
The joint statement was signed by a total of 34 people which expresses support for the joint action.
Bharat Bandh on 16 February: Will banks, offices remain shut?
Several private and government offices may remain shut on Friday due to the scheduled protest. Moreover, transportation services, agricultural activities, MNREGA rural works, and rural industrial and service sector institutions may also be affected.
However, essential services such as ambulance operations, medical facilities, and schools will continue uninterrupted.
What are farmers’ demands?
The demands put forth by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha to Prime Minister Narendra Modi include implementing a Minimum Support Price based on the Swaminathan formula, legal assurance of procurement, debt relief, no increase in electricity rates, and no installation of smart meters. They also seek free power supply of up to 300 units for farming and domestic use, comprehensive crop insurance, and an increase in pensions to Rs 10,000 per month, among other requests.
In ongoing negotiations, a panel of three Union ministers will meet with protesting farmer leaders in Chandigarh on Thursday. The ministers include Arjun Munda, Piyush Goyal, and Nityanand Rai. This marks the third round of talks between the parties, following inconclusive discussions on February 8 and 12.
Farmers from Punjab continue to gather at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders of Punjab and Haryana, intending to march towards Delhi to emphasize their demands to the central government.