Vikrant Shekhawat : Dec 19, 2024, 10:46 AM
Farmer Protest News: Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher has called for a 'Punjab Bandh' on December 30. He called it a big step, accusing the central government of ignoring the demands of the farmers. The bandh will be organized under the leadership of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.Emergency services will remain operationalAddressing the media in Amritsar, Pandher said that emergency services will not be disrupted during the bandh. He appealed to traders, businessmen, and transporters to cooperate in making the bandh successful. Pandher said, "Just as the 'Rail Roko' movement was successful, the Punjab bandh should also be made successful."Effect of Rail Roko movementRail services in the state were disrupted on Wednesday due to the 'Rail Roko' movement of farmers in Punjab. Farmers staged a sit-in on railway tracks at more than 50 places demanding legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops, among other demands. According to the Ferozepur Railway Division, 12 trains were canceled and 34 trains were delayed due to the agitation.Main demands of farmersFarmers have been struggling for their various demands for a long time, the main ones being:Legal guarantee of MSP: Demand to make the minimum support price for crops legally binding.Implementation of Swaminathan Commission recommendations: Demand to follow these recommendations in fixing the price of crops.Keeping agriculture out of WTO: Demand to remove the agricultural sector from the purview of the World Trade Organization.Ban on pension and electricity rates: Ban on increase in pension and electricity rates for farmers and agricultural laborers.Strategy to put pressure on the governmentFarmers have described the 'Punjab Bandh' as an important step to intensify their movement. Even before this, there have been many big protests under the Kisan Andolan, which have been quite effective in putting pressure on the government.Possible effects of the bandhThe call for Punjab Bandh can affect trade, transport and normal life. However, farmers have clarified that emergency services will not be disrupted. Farmers say that this bandh is part of their fight for rights and it will be made successful at all costs.ConclusionThe farmers' movement has reached a new turn regarding their demands. Through the 'Punjab Bandh' on December 30, farmers have decided to show their strength and unity to the central government. Now it remains to be seen whether after this bandh the way for talks between the government and the farmers opens or the conflict deepens.