The nationwide Bandh call given by farmers and several farmers’ organizations against the new agricultural reforms will begin at 11am and continue till 3 pm on Tuesday.
Amid growing support from trade unions and opposition parties for tomorrow's Bharat Bandh call, some services, including supply of fruits, vegetables and transport etc could get affected in Delhi and the rest of the country, however, farmers have assured that it won’t be for a very long time as they have decided to observe bandh for a short duration i.e. from 11 am to 3 pm.
Meanwhile, the call for a ‘peaceful’ nationwide shutdown tomorrow, is a day ahead of the sixth round of talks between protesting farmers and the centre, and is basically for the purpose to build pressure on the government to take back the three contentious agriculture reform laws.
Addressing the press, Bharatiya Kisan Union Spokesperson Rakesh Tikait, said that the protest is to show that we don't support some of the policies of the government. Unions have said their protest is ‘peaceful and will continue that way only’.
The Bandh is likely to be most well-observed in Punjab, which has extended its full support. Various market associations and among other organizations have submitted memorandum to DC’s seeking permission to hold dharnas at various chowks and other points.
Sit-in protests are likely to be observed in Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Telanaga and northeastern states of Tripura and Assam, besides others. This is likely to create traffic congestions.
Besides, all opposition parties except the Trinamool Congress - Shiv Sena, Congress, DMK, Kamal Haasan's MNM, RJD, Samajwadi Party, NCP, Aam Aadmi Party, newly-minted People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration in J&K and a collection of Left outfits - have backed the farmers and said they would organise demonstrations across cities tomorrow.
Farmers have requested people to extend their support non-violently and said their protest was not meant to cause problems for the common man. “Tomorrow's Bharat Bandh is from 11 am to 3 pm. It is a symbolic protest. We will begin at 11 am so everyone can reach office or their destinations on time. Services such as ambulance, even weddings, can go on without any disruptions. People can show their card and leave”, said Bharatiya Kisan Union Spokesperson Rakesh Tikait.
Members of farmers' unions will also block national highways and occupy toll plazas, Harinder Singh Lakhowal, general secretary of Bharatiya Kisan Union had said earlier.
Supply truck movement could be hit in many states as all motor transport unions of India have come out in farmers' support. They will organise peaceful demonstrations and try to submit memorandum to District Collectors and Commissioners to resolve the issues amicably and to farmers' satisfaction at the earliest.
A number of bank unions have called for a black-band protest to show support to farmers, but this is not likely to affect banking services.