Bharat Bandh gathers more support mounting pressure on centre

Farmer leaders have claimed that they have gathered support from almost every section of the society for the Bharat Bandh on December 8 and it will succeed in mounting pressure on the government.

New Delhi: Farmer Unions continue to gather support from different sections of society for their Bharat Bandh call as more civil societies, trade unions and activists extended their full support to the cause on Monday. Eight political parties have already announced their support to Farmer Unions. Sanyukt Kisan Morcha leaders today welcomed the decision of political parties to support Bharat Bandh but requested them to join farmers without their party banners.

"We do not want any kind of political branding in this farmer's movement. So if political parties want to support farmers they can join them on streets but only without any political banner or flag of their respective parties" said Dr Darshan Pal, leader, Samyukt Kisan Morcha.

Farmer leaders also requested fellow agitators to hold peaceful protests and do not use any kind of force to shut down shops or force stop people from commuting.

Most of the farmer unions with on-ground presence have either joined the agitation against three farm acts brought by Modi government or have extended support to the movement led by Samyukt Kisan Morcha and are protesting in their respective states. Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) affiliated with RSS, however, announced on Sunday that they do not support Bharat Bandh call by Farmer Unions. BKS cleared their stand that they support the three farm bills with some necessary amendments. With the centre agreeing to make amendments in the laws, as suggested by Kisan Sangh and other farmer unions, BKS announced its decision to stand with the government.

More farmer groups from Punjab and Haryana reached Singhu Border to join the protest on Monday. Students unions, youth, trade unions and social activists were among the protestors on Monday while preparations for Tuesday Bharat Bandh Call was in full swing at the protest site.

"Farmers Protest today has become a material force for the whole of the nation and even for the Indians living in other parts of the world. Farmer leaders are here at Delhi Haryana border but we are getting calls from everywhere and people will support this Bandh call by staging small protests across the country and even abroad," said Dr. Darshan Pal while talking to ETV Bharat.

Bharat Bandh will commence on Tuesday morning and will continue till 7 pm in the evening. Complete lockdown will be observed from 11 am till 3 pm as decided by the farmer unions. Vehicles carrying essential supplies like milk and vegetables will also be stopped during this period, said farmer leaders.

National Federation of Indian Women which has more than 20 lakh members spread in 28 states of the country also extended its support to Farmers Movement. Annie Raja, the general secretary of NFIW reached the protest site with her supporters and announced full support for Bharat Bandh.

"We have given a call to all the units of our organisation to participate in large numbers because we understand that these three laws are not just against the farmers but also against the ordinary people of this country. These acts will slowly dismantle the PDS system in this country and that will lead to more hunger deaths. We are facing a grave threat, so government should withdraw these Acts unconditionally to save the farmers of this country," said Annie Raja.

All India Railway Mens' Federation (AIRF) which has more than 10 Lakh members with 3,600 branches also extended its support to the strike. AIRF General Secretary Shiv Prakash Mishra said that 9th of December is the only opportunity for the government to settle this dispute with farmers and repeal the three farm acts.

The government on the other hand is preparing their final proposal which will be sent to the farmers before the next meeting between farmer leaders and Union ministers on December 9. Farmers have cleared their stand that they will accept nothing less than repealing the three farm acts and the proposed Electricity amendment bill. Farmers are also demanding that provision for punishment and penalty for burning stubble brought through an ordinance should also be withdrawn.

Farmer leaders have claimed that they have gathered support from almost every section of the society for Bharat Bandh and it will succeed to mount pressure on the government.