The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), the umbrella body of over 40 farm unions leading the farmers’ agitation against the Centre’s three farm laws, has called for nationwide strike – Bharat Bandh – on 27 September, the day their ongoing protest completes 10 months.
Several opposition parties have backed the farmers’ demand for a bandh. While Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has backed the bandh, Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, has said he will join the countrywide protest.
All government and private offices, educational and other institutions, stores, factories and commercial enterprises, as well as public events and activities, will be closed across the nation from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the bandh.
The bank officers’ union has expressed its support for the ‘Bharat Bandh.’ The All India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AlBOC) has expressed its support for the bandh that would take place on Monday. It has asked the government to meet with farmers to discuss their requests and to repeal the three laws at the centre of the conflict.
On Monday, the confederation’s affiliates and state units will join in solidarity with farmer protests around the nation, according to the organisation. The NSS Land and Livestock Holdings of Households and Situation Assessment of Agricultural Households, 2018-19 report, which was issued earlier this month, cast doubt on the Centre’s goal to double farmers’ income by 2022.
