Farmer organizations have claimed that the Bharat Bandh called by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) on September 27 has been “a grand and historic success.” Its main slogan was ‘Corporate Forces Hands Off Agriculture and Modi-Shah Quit Power’.
As per reports, the Bandh call was massive in Punjab, Haryana, Kerala, Tripura, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha, and West Bengal. In the States of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Assam, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur and Gujarat, the Bandh was successful in the rural areas of these states. There were large demonstrations and Rail Roko and Rasta Roko at various spots.
The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) said that the Bandh was a slap on the face of those who have been portraying the farmers’ movement as one restricted to merely three states.
Rakesh Tikait, the BKU spokesperson said, that such people “should open their eyes and see how the whole country stands in support of the farmers. The government should address the farmers’ problems. The cane price announced in UP is also a joke played on the farmers. We shall soon protest on roads for (a further) cane price increase.”
He added, “Some people may naturally have faced troubles due to the Bharat Bandh programme. But they should forget these keeping it in mind that it was a day for the farmers.”
The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) expressed its profound happiness and extended hearty congratulations to all sections of the people who made the Bandh successful. AIKS appreciated the large-scale participation of trade unions in making this Bandh a grand success. Several opposition political parties also supported the strike action.
Jai Kisan Andolan observed Bharat Bandh at several locations in 12 states. Speaking on the occasion, its President Avik Saha said, “I congratulate the thousands of members of Jai Kisan Andolan who made this Bharat Bandh a historic success. We reiterate our demand for repeal of the three anti-farmer laws and call upon the government to start a dialogue with the farmers immediately.”
Farmer leader Yogendra Yadav said that the biggest takeaway from this Bandh was that it had “paved the way for the future.” This Bandh has taught people that the real front for the farmers’ movement will now be pan-Indian. And the “peaceful, democratic” front will take the farmers to victory.