Farmers call for Bharat Bandh tomorrow, road and rail transport to be affected

New Delhi: The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of farmer unions, will on Friday observe 'Bharat Bandh'. Notably, 26 March 2021 marks four months of farmers’ agitation on the borders of the national capital against the three Central farm laws.

The Bharat Bandh on 26 March 2021 will begin at 6 am and end at 6 pm.

During this period, all road and rail transport, markets and other public places will be shut across the country.

Farmer leader Buta Singh Burjgill had earlier said: "We will observe a complete Bharat bandh on March 26, when our protest against the three farm laws completes four months. The peaceful bandh will remain effective from morning till evening." Farmers also plan to burn copies of the new farm laws during ‘Holika Dahan’ on March 28.

Notably, the SKM has clarified that the states and union territories where Assembly Elections are going to take place will be exempt from Bharat Bandh on 26 March.

Earlier this week, the front of protesting farmer unions urged citizens of India to make the March 26 Bharat Bandh a complete success.

"We appeal to the people of the country to make this Bharat Bandh a success and honour their 'Annadata'," said farmer leader Darshan Pal.

In Andhra Pradesh, the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has extended support to Bharat Bandh tomorrow. The party will protest against the Centre's decision to privatise the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP).

As per Andhra Pradesh's Minister for Transport, Information and Public Relations Perni Venkataramaiah alias Nani, the state government is against the privatisation of steel plant. In this regard, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had sent letters to the Centre, suggesting alternatives to retain the organisation.

"The state government opposes the central government's decision to privatise Visakha Steel, which is the right of Andhraites and aspirations of millions of Telugu people, as there has been a great history and sacrifices of Telugu people for establishing a steel plant in the state."

All the government institutions in Andhra Pradesh will open after 1.00 pm and RTC buses will also start playing in the afternoon. All the emergency health services will run as usual during the bandh.