Bharat Bandh: Farmers to hold strike to end 10-day agitation on June 10

The national body of agriculture produce– the Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh has given a call for a nationwide strike.  This Bharat Badh will be observed on this Sunday, i.e. June 10 to commemorate the end of their agitation.

It is noteworthy, that Since June 1, the farmers are on protests in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan. They are demanding better prices. Supply of fruits, vegetables and milk will be affected all through the country on Sunday, it is feared. The shops dealing in such stuff are also expected to be remained closed till 2 PM today.

Farmers of the nation, as a whole are protesting over demands of farm loan waiver, power without tariff, as well as the implementation of the recommendation of Swaminathan committee. It had recommended 50 per cent profit to farmers for their produce.

They had given a call for a Bharat Bandh and requested all those living in the villages of the country to refrain from supplying anything in the towns. It has also been requested to keep their shops closed in their support, a spokesperson of Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangh told.

An opposition party leader in Gujarat, Paresh Dhanani said the Congress will hold dharnas and hunger strike on various places in the State on June 10 to support farmers’ agitation. Similarly, the farmers in Uttar Pradesh have decided to make June 10 Bharat Bandh a success by restricting movement of any goods.

On the other hand, traders from Kerala, and Punjab farmers have decided not to take part in the stir. Punjab unit has already announced the decision to cut short our strike by June 6, so there was no question of taking part in this sir, says Balbir Singh Rajewal, President of Bharti Kisan Union.

The Kerala farmers too have decided not to join the Bharat Bandh organised by the Sangh on Sunday. State Co-ordinator has said that in Kerala, ‘Kari Dinam’ will be followed and not the Bharat Bandh. Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi has already declared their schedule for a non co-operation activity to show solidarity with the bandh in the state.

It is felt that the farmers’ protest had lost its intensity after a bid to block the supply of milk, vegetables and other essential items to cities was foiled by police.

The farmers and traders admit that the impact of the protest was not on expected lines in Madhya Pradesh, the Union’s Madhya Pradesh general secretary said the fear of the police has led to the low success of the agitation.

Meanwhile, in Gujarat, where the  Congress has wholeheartedly extended support to farmers’ protest, they threw vegetables and spilled milk on the roads. The impact of this protest was mostly felt in Saurashtra, central and north Gujarat. In the parts of Uttar Pradesh’s Amroha, farmers too threw tomatoes on the road.