Farmer unions have called for a Bharat Bandh today as of March 26, 2021. Therefore, rail and road transportation services are likely to be affected. Markets may remain closed in some parts of India Friday.
The farmers are protesting against the three farm laws. This is in line with their demand for a complete repeal of the contentious farm laws. Today on March 26, 2021 they have called for a complete Bharat Bandh.
However, this Bharat Bandh will not be observed in four poll-bound states and one UT Puducherry.
The nationwide Bharat Bandh has begun today from 6 am and will remain until 6 pm. As of March 26, 2021, marks four months of the farmers’ agitation on Delhi borders, namely at Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri borders respectively.
The protesting farmers are likely to block road and rail transport. Markets will also remain closed.
On the other hand, the Confederation of All India Traders said that the markets will remain open on March 26 as it is not participating in the Bharat Bandh.
According to Morcha, an umbrella body of protesting farm unions, the bandh will also be observed in the national capital.
However, emergency services will be open during today’s Bharat Bandh. Thousands of farmers of Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at Delhi borders. They are demanding a complete repeal of the contentious farm laws and also a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) on their crops.
Farmers’ protest and Bharat Bandh
To date, there have been 11 rounds of talks between the farmer unions and government.
In January this year, the government had offered to suspend or defer the contentious farm laws for 12-18 months.
This was a way to buy some time to deliberate over any changes or amendments, if any, in these farm laws. But this offer too was rejected by the farmer unions.
