New Delhi: The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), a farmers’ union protesting against the three farm bills passed by the centre have called for a nationwide Bharat Bandh on March 26. The Union has also appealed to the citizens of the country to make the 26 March Bharat Bandh a complete success.

We appeal to the people of the country to make this Bharat Bandh a success and honour their ‘Annadata,” said farmer leader Darshan Pal.

The Bharat Bandh is scheduled for 26 March 2021 and will begin at 6 am and end at 6 pm. During this period of time, all rail and road transport, markets and other public places will be closed across the country.

Farmer’s union have planned different kinds of protest which includes “burning of anti-farmer laws during Holika Dehan”.

Protest and demands

According to a statement released by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, farmers are protesting on the borders of Delhi for the last four months and instead of accepting their demands, the government is discrediting them completely.

The ‘Delhi Chalo’ farmers’ protest at different borders of the capital has gone on for more than 120 days.

The farmers are demanding an absolute rollback of the new farm laws passed by the centre and a guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP).

Andhra Pradesh’s YSRCP extends support

The ruling party in Andhra Pradesh YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has expressed solidarity and extended its support to the bandh. In Andhra Pradesh, the strike will also be observed to protest against the Centre’s decision to privatise Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP).

Cases filed against farm leader Rakesh Tikait over Shivamogga speech

Two cases have been registered, one each in Karnataka’s Shivamogga and Haveri, against Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) president Rakesh Tikait over his recent speech in Shivamogga.

On Saturday, while addressing a gathering of farmers, Tikait had said farmers in Karnataka should organise a protest in the state similar to that of Delhi and gherao Bengaluru from all sides. “You need to make a ‘Delhi’ in Bengaluru. You need to gherao Bengaluru (like Delhi) from all sides and people will come and join your protest…The Prime Minister said farmers can sell crops anywhere so you take your crops to offices of District Collector, SDM and if the police stop you, ask them to buy crops on MSP,” Tikait had said.