Bharat Bandh protest which is going to take place on 16th February is brewing among farmers in Punjab and Haryana. They will march towards Delhi to voice their grievances. Know what things are likely to be affected.
The Bharat Bandh call is making waves as hundreds of farmers are trying to go to Delhi for a big protest, marching from Punjab has been stopped at the state’s border with Haryana near Ambala. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and central trade unions are planning to have a big strike all across rural areas of India on February 16. As they want the government to listen to their demands.
Hundreds of farmers marching from Punjab are facing hurdles even before reaching Delhi. They have been stopped at the state’s border with Haryana near Ambala, about 200 kilometers from Delhi. Haryana security forces are also ready to stop them from entering the capital city. By using tear gas on them to try and disperse them. The farmers’ group, called the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, a non-political party, is asking all other farmer groups to join them in the Bharat bandh strike, which will last from 6 am to 4 pm.
What’s likely to get impacted?
During this strike, many things are expected to be affected. Such as Transportation. And farms will remain idle. Even rural jobs guaranteed by the government under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) may not be available. The sectors that are likely to be closed are Private offices, shops in villages, and businesses in rural areas. However, important services like ambulances, weddings, medical shops, and schools are expected to continue working as usual. And will not be affected during the Bharat Bandh on Friday.
What are farmers demanding?
Farmers are back on the streets of Punjab and Haryana with some important demands. They want the government to promise them a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops, ensuring that they get a fair price. They also want improvements in a government job program called MGNREGS, as well as the reinstatement of an old pension scheme. Also, the farmers are asking for pensions and social security for all types of workers, whether they work in formal jobs or informal ones. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking for these changes. They also want a guarantee from the government that they will buy their crops. Along with their debts to be forgiven. Moreover, they don’t want the government to increase electricity prices or install smart meters.
