The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has called a nationwide strike (Bharat Bandh) in protest of farm laws today and has been appealing all organisations of workers, traders, transporters, businessmen, students, youth and women to voluntarily participate in it from 6am to 4pm. Bandh supporters have blocked roads at several places in Punjab, Haryana and other places in northern India.
In national capital as well in other major cities of India, autorickshaws and taxis have been plying normally and shops are at normal business. The unions and associations have extended “in-principle support” to the Bharat Bandh called by farmers but have decided not to join the strike on the pretext that livelihood has already been hit hard due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown and hence they would not be joining any strike. However, protesting farmers have organized a ‘Rasta Roko’ campaign in major national and state highways during the dawn-to-dusk bandh. This has led to disruption in vehicular movement in several parts of the country.
