Bharat Bandh Today: Farmers Call For Nationwide Strike Against New Farm Bills | Explainer

As farmers' across the nation will be on streets, highways and railway tracks are more likely to be blocked in several parts of the country, especially in non-BJP ruled states.

Members of various farmer organizations block railway tracks during a protest at Nabha in Patiala. (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: In order to protest against government's new agriculture reform laws that were passed in the Parliament earlier this week, several farmers' unions have called for a 'Bharat Bandh' (nationwide shutdown) on Friday. Associations including Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), All India Farmers Union (AIFU), All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), All India Kisan Mahasangh have called for the strike which has been support by several Opposition parties, including Congress. Normal life across the country would take a hit today due to the Bharat Bandh as public transport, shops and market are likely to remain closed. Even cab aggregator Ola's Cab Drivers’ Association and lorry drivers’ association have also decided to extend their support to farmers and thus might not operate today.

Punjab: Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee continues their 'rail roko' agitation in Amritsar, in protest against the #FarmBills.

The Committee is holding the 'rail roko' agitation from September 24 to 26 against the Bills. pic.twitter.com/NFfSCcWuO5 — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2020

As farmers' across the nation will be on streets, highways and railway tracks are more likely to be blocked in several parts of the country. Not just the national capital, but several non-BJP ruled states are more likely to witness the impact of the strike today. Here's a list of states that are more likely to be affected: New Delhi Punjab Haryana Uttar Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra Karnataka West Bengal Uttarakhand Chhattisgarh Complete shutdown in Punjab & Haryana According to reports, over 30 farmers' associations have joined hands for the 'Punjab Bandh' and several organisations in Haryana have also extended their support to the nationwide strike called by the farmers' bodies against the new farm bills. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday appealed to all political parties to rise above "petty considerations" and come on one platform to fight unitedly against the "treacherous" agriculture Bills that would destroy the state's farmers. Asserting his commitment to protect the rights of the farmers at all costs, he said that he was ready to lead the political fight against the "unconstitutional" anti-farmer Bills with all his might. Congress supports 'Bharat Bandh' call given by farmer organisations The grand old party has also supported the 'Bharat Bandh' call given by farmer organisations for Friday, saying millions of party workers stand in solidarity with the farmers' cause and will participate in their dharnas. Chief Congress spokesperson Randeep Sujewala said that while farmers and farm labourers fill the stomachs of countrymen with their hard labour, the Modi government is attacking them and their fields. The farmer's cry will echo across the country on Friday in the 'Bharat Bandh', the party said. The Congress has decided to take out marches in every state after which memorandums will be submitted to the respective governors on September 28 against these farm bills, which it says are against the interests of farmers and farm labourers. Delhi Police on high alert Despite there being no claims by farmer organisations to head to Delhi, Police is the national capital are on high alert and have also sealed the border with Haryana in a bid to stall any such attempt. Farmers' associations have said that they will hold a 'chakka jam' from 10 am to 4 pm today in Haryana. Farmers started a three-day rail blockade against the bills and squatted on tracks at many places in Punjab on Thursday. The farmer outfits have also decided to go for an indefinite rail blockade from October 1. Farmers started a three-day rail blockade against the bills and squatted on tracks at many places in Punjab on Thursday. The farmer outfits have also decided to go for an indefinite rail blockade from October 1. The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill were passed by the Parliament earlier this week.