Bharat Bandh HIGHLIGHTS: Round 6 Talks On Wednesday Cancelled, Says Farmer Leaders After Meeting Amit Shah
Bharat Bandh, 8 December HIGHLIGHTS: A day before the government's crucial sixth round of talks with representatives of protesting farmers, Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday met a select group of union leaders in a bid to break the deadlock.
Around 13 farmer leaders were called for the meeting, which began after 8 pm. The farmer leaders included eight from Punjab and five from various nationwide organisations.
The meeting assumes significance as farmer leaders have been firm on their demand for repeal of three new farm laws enacted in September, which they claim will benefit corporates and end the mandi system and the minimum support price (MSP) regime.
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Background
As many as 35 farmer unions have called for a ‘Bharat Bandh’ or a nationwide strike on Tuesday against the three farm laws passed by the Centre in September. The unions include the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) and its different factions, Krantikari Kisan Union and Kisan Sangharsh Committee. Some other Left Front backed groups are also part of this.
The call for complete shutdown, comes a day ahead of the sixth meeting, between protesting farmers and the center, is meant to mount pressure on the government to repeal three contentious agriculture reform laws. Farmers reiterated they won't give space to any political party and said their protest is "peaceful and will continue that way". However, the centre has issued a nationwide advisory suggesting "tight security" for "peace" and ensuring Covid-19 guidelines are followed.
The Bandh will start from 11 AM and will continue till 3 PM, so people can reach their office on time. "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 the office on time... Services such as ambulance, even weddings, can go on. People can show their card and leave," Bharatiya Kisan Union Spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said.
In Delhi, fruits and vegetables could be in short supply. "Most of our traders are supporting the Bharat Bandh call. Hence, mandis at Ghazipur, Okhla, and Narela will be heavily impacted," said Adil Ahmed Khan, Chairman of the Azadpur Mandi - Asia's largest wholesale market.
Commuters in Delhi and Tamil Nadu may face problems as some cab and taxi unions, including those associated with app-based aggregators, have decided to back the shutdown. But autos and those offering last-mile connectivity would continue to ply, unions said. The government said arrangements have been to ensure people can commute easily during the bandh.
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 a memorandum to District Collectors and Commissioners to resolve the issues "amicably and to farmers' satisfaction at the earliest".
No meeting will be held between farmers and govt tomorrow. The minister has said that a proposal will be given to the farmer leaders tomorrow. Farmer leaders will hold a meeting over govt's proposal: Hannan Mollah, General Secy, All India Kisan Sabha
The Government is not ready to take back the farm laws: Hannan Mollah
The farmers unions have claimed that the nationwide strike called by them was successful and the people supported their cause while the Bharat Bandh on Tuesday evoked a mixed response across the country.
After the bandh the farmers addressed a joint press conference and claimed that they have got support from two more farmers unions and now they are a total of 32 organisations.
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