Farmer unions have called for a Bharat Bandh on March 26 to protest the three farm laws. The day marks the end of four months of protests against the legislation at Delhi’s borders, which began on November 26.
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of farmer unions, has called for a Bharat Bandh on March 26 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Throughout the country, all road and rail transportation, markets, and other public places will be closed during this time. “We appeal to the people of the country to make this Bharat Bandh successful and to honor their ‘Annadata,'” farmer leader Darshan Pal said.
Buta Singh Burjgill, a farmer leader, had previously stated, “On March 26, when our four-month-long protest against the three farm laws comes to an end, we will observe a complete Bharat bandh. The peaceful bandh will be in effect from the morning until the evening.”
Farmer leaders have also stated that copies of the new farm laws will be burned on March 28 during ‘Holika Dahan.’ In the run-up to the Bharat Bandh, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) president Rakesh Tikait said on Tuesday that farmers protesting the Central Farm Laws would not be divided and that they might have to return to the national capital and breach barricades again.
Hitting out at the Central government, he said, “PM Modi said farmers can sell crops anywhere. We will prove it by selling at State Assemblies, Collectors` offices, and the Parliament. No mandi can be better than Parliament.”
Farmers have been protesting at Delhi’s various borders since November last year in opposition to three newly enacted farm laws: the 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.
