Mumbai: A call for Bharat Bandh given by NCP, Congress, Shivsena, Communist Party of India(Marxists) and Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna in Maharashtra in support of farmers protest witnessed a mixed response in the state.
However, strong protests were seen in Automotive Chouk (Square) on Nagpur Kamthi road by the Sikh community.
In Solapur, Bandh took a violent turn as police charged the demonstrating CPI (M) workers.
No significant impact was seen in Mumbai, especially, in Fort area which is known as the Banking district, where the normal work was going on as usual. Banking was also not hampered in the area.
Congress workers protested at Lal Bahadur Shastri statue near Regal Cinema in Mumbai raising slogans like Modi Hatao, Desh Bachao (Remove Modi, Save country).
Meanwhile, president and state revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat alleged that the new farm laws are only for the benefit of a handful of rich people.
The impact of Bharat Bandh was seen in Pune APMC as only 15 percent farm produce was brought to the yard today.
All the five markets in Mumbai APMC were closed to express solidarity with farmers. Traders, graders, Mathadi workers and other people had joined the agitation along with farmers.
Read: Bharat Bandh: TRS , Opposition parties hold peaceful protests in Telangana
Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) workers unions had decided not to participate in the Bandh, while expressed moral support.
Only 84 per cent BEST buses and 32 per cent ST buses plied on roads.
The train service did not have any impact of Bharat Bandh but, the number of passengers in railway stations and locals was much less than normal.
While extending support to Bharat Bandh Mumbai Dabewala Association president Subhash Talekare said that the laws passed by union government are detrimental to the interest of farmers.
"Now there is a grave situation of Corona and unemployment. So, the worker class is about to be destroyed in the country. The farmers in the country are also about to be destroyed. There was an agitation in Uttar Pradesh against these laws and now we are supporting Bharat Bandh called by them," Talekar added further.
One day hunger strike by Anna Hajare in Ralegan Siddhi
Social activist Anna Hajare is sitting on a day-long hunger strike in Ralegan Siddhi to support agitating farmers. He said the agitation being carried out in Delhi is important. It is getting support from all over the country. Warning the government, he said that the government should take it seriously and find a solution, otherwise he is preparing for bigger agitation.
Support to sentiments of farmers: Sanjay Raut
Shivsena leader Sanjay Raut said that Bharat Bandh is not political. It is to support the sentiments of the farmers. Bharat Bandh is spontaneous. The farmers, due to whom we eat, are agitating in Delhi defying severe cold conditions. "To my knowledge, nobody is forced to participate in the Bandh. All are participating on their own,", he opined.
Farmers instigated: Athawale
Union Minister of state for social justice Ramdas Athawale, while speaking in Kolhapur, alleged that some farmers’ organizations are trying to provoke peasants in Punjab and Hariyana. He urged those who oppose the laws, should discuss their issues in the coming session.
