'Bharat Bandh' on March 26 as farmers' protest against farm laws completes 4 months

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NEW DELHI: Farmer unions protesting the three farm laws have called for a Bharat Bandh on March 26. The day marks the completion of four months of protests against the legislation at the borders of Delhi, which started on November 26.

According to news agency PTI, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of farmer unions, has called for a Bharat Bandh on March 26, from 6 AM to 6 PM.

During this time all road and rail transport, markets and other public places will be closed across the country. "We appeal to the people of the country to make this Bharat Bandh a success and honour their 'Annadata'," farmer leader Darshan Pal said.

Earlier, farmer leader Buta Singh Burjgill had said, "We will observe a complete Bharat bandh on March 26, when our protest against the three farm laws completes four months. The peaceful bandh will remain effective from morning till evening."

Farmer leaders also said that copies of the new farm laws will be burnt during ‘Holika Dahan’ on March 28. Ahead of the Bharat Bandh, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) president Rakesh Tikait had on Tuesday said that farmers agitating against the Central farm laws would not be divided and they may have to go to the national capital and breach barricades again.

 "They (Centre) has tried to divide us on the lines of caste and religion but they were unsuccessful. You would need to go to Delhi when asked and have to breach barricades again," Tikait said while addressing a gathering in Jaipur.

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."

Earlier on Sunday, during the protest at Delhi`s borders, Tikait had suggested that farmers in Karnataka should organise a protest in the state similar to that of Delhi and `gherao` (surround) Bengaluru from all sides.

"This fight will go on for a long. We need to start such protests in every city until these three black laws are taken back and the law on MSP is not brought. You need to run a protest in Karnataka," the BKU leader had said while addressing a farmers` meeting in Shivamogga.

Farmers have been protesting at the different border of Delhi since November last year against the three newly enacted farm laws -- 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.