Bharat Bandh Today Updates: Solution to farmers' protest only through dialogue, says Rakesh Tikait

Received unprecendted response: SKM

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), a united forum of farmer unions protesting the three farm laws, on Monday said its call for a Bharat Bandh received “unprecedented and historic” response from more than 23 states and not a single untoward incident was reported from anywhere.

“Reports have been pouring in about the overwhelmingly positive and resounding response to the Bharat Bandh call … to mark 10 months of peaceful protests with rightful demands from the ‘‘annadaatas’’ of the country. Spontaneous participation from various sections of the society was witnessed at most places,” it said in a statement.

The SKM said the bandh was observed peacefully in “more than 23 states” and not a single untoward incident was reported.

Bharat Bandh effect in India latest update

Bharat Bandh disrupts lives in pockets

Several trains were cancelled, highways and key roads blocked and many thousands stranded for hours on Monday as a nationwide 10-hour shutdown against the Centre’s three agri laws disrupted lives across parts of India, particularly in the north.

The impact of the 6 am to 4 pm Bharat Bandh, which saw demonstrations in many places, passed off relatively peacefully with no reports of injuries or serious clashes. It was felt the most around Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, the centre of the farm protests, and also in large pockets of Kerala, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha.

Bharat Bandh effect in Chhattisgarh latest update

Mixed response in Chhattisgarh

The Bharat Bandh called by farmer unions against the Centre’s three agriculture laws evoked a mixed response in Congress-ruled Chhattisgarh as most of the shops and establishments remained open in major cities. Agitators staged protests at different locations and briefly blocked roads at many places in the state demanding repeal of the three laws.

Overall, the bandh remained peaceful with no untoward incident reported so far from any part of Chhattisgarh. The ruling Congress had extended support to the national shutdown.

Bharat Bandh effect in MP latest update

No major impact in MP

The Bharat Bandh call given by some farmer unions against the Centre’’s new farm laws had no major impact in Madhya Pradesh on Monday as day-to-day and commercial activities went on as usual. Eyewitnesses said road traffic was normal in the state capital Bhopal and commercial hub Indore.

However, talking to PTI, Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh national president Shivkumar Kakkaji claimed, “The bandh called by farmers against the three laws and for demanding guaranteed MSP for crops has been successful.”

25 trains affected, says Indian Railways

At least 25 trains have been affected due to the Bharat Bandh called by farm unions on Monday to protest the Centre’s three agri laws, officials said. “More than 20 locations are being blocked in Delhi, Ambala, and Firozepur divisions. About 25 trains are affected due to this,” a spokesperson for the Northern Railway said.

Officials said the Delhi-Amritsar Shan-e-Punjab, New Delhi-Moga Express, Old Delhi-Pathankot Express, Vande Bharat Express from New Delhi to Katra, and Amritsar Shatabdi are some of the trains that have been affected.

Bharat Bandh effect in Jammu latest update

Rallies, demonstrations to demand repeal of farm laws

Demonstrations and rallies were held across Jammu district on Monday in support of the Bharat Bandh called by farmers to demand repeal of the Centre’s three agri laws. Led by CPI(M) leader MY Tarigami, hundreds of activists and farmers took out a rally and sat on a dharna on the main road here, leading to disruption of traffic. Addressing the activists, Tarigami said these “anti-farmer” laws are bound to “destroy” the agriculture sector and threaten India’s food security.

Bharat Bandh effect in Maharashtra latest update

Normal life unaffected in Maha, non-BJP parties stage protests

Commercial establishments and local transport were operating as usual and normal life remained unaffected across Maharashtra on Monday even as various non-BJP parties held demonstrations and bike rallies in parts of the state in support of the Bharat Bandh called by farmer unions against the Centre’s three agri laws, officials said.

An APMC remained closed in Pune and a pro-farmers’ outfit staged a road blockage in Nagpur, while some protesters were detained at some places and later released, they said. In Mumbai, Congress workers, holding placards, assembled at some places like Andheri and Jogeshwari and shouted slogans against the farm bills, but shops and other commercial establishments were open as usual and traffic movement was normal, they said.

Bharat Bandh effect in Assam latest update

Shutdown fails to evoke response in Assam

Assam remained unaffected by the Bharat Bandh on Monday as public transport operated as usual, markets were open and offices registered usual attendance. The Opposition Congress, which supported the bandh, did not organise any protest programme in the state. In Guwahati, members of the SUCI (Communist) took out a protest rally in the morning, raising slogans against the three farm laws.

They were detained by the police near the Ulubari point. There were no reports of any other protest or demonstration from across the state. Congress state president Bhupen Bora urged the people to come out on the streets in support of the bandh, but party workers were missing. Congress spokesperson Bobbeeta Sharma said the party had appealed to the people to spontaneously support the Bandh.

Bharat Bandh effect in Delhi latest update

Business activities unaffected in Delhi, massive jams in border areas

Markets remained open and business activities were largely unaffected in the National Capital on Monday, though massive traffic snarls were witnessed in border areas due to road blockades by protesters and security checks by police during the Bharat Bandh called by farmers against the Centre’s three agri laws.

The auto and taxi unions as well as several traders’ bodies extended only “in-principle support” to the Bharat Bandh and decided not to join the strike, saying their livelihood has already been hit hard due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown.

Bharat Bandh effect in Haryana latest update

Farmers block highways, squat on railway tracks at many places 

In Haryana, protesters blocked highways in Sirsa, Fatehabad, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Hisar, Charkhi Dadri, Karnal, Kaithal, Rohtak, Jhajjar and Panchkula districts. The protesting farmers also squatted on railway tracks at many places in the two states.

Ferozepur’s Divisional Railway Manager Seema Sharma told PTI that some passenger trains were cancelled while some other services were rescheduled.With the protesters squatting on railway tracks, she said as far as possible, the railway authorities try to halt the trains at a station so that the stranded passengers get some facilities.

Bharat Bandh effect in Punjab latest update

Farmers block highways, squat on railway tracks at many places 

In Punjab, the ruling Congress said it firmly stands by the farm unions’’ “Bharat Bandh” call against the three contentious laws. The shutdown was almost complete in the state, with transport services suspended during the bandh period, while shops and other commercial establishments remained shut at most places.

National and state highways in several districts, including Amritsar, Rupnagar, Jalandhar, Pathankot, Sangrur, Mohali, Ludhiana, Ferozepur, Bathinda, were blocked by the protesters.

Bharat Bandh effect in Arunachal latest update

Bharat Bandh against agri laws fails to evoke response in Arunachal Pradesh

The Bharat Bandh called by farmer unions against the Centre’s three agriculture laws failed to evoke any response in Arunachal Pradesh on Monday, a senior police officer said here. All services, including public transport, banks and commercial establishments, were operating normally in the frontier state, he said. There have been no protests and life remained normal in the state capital, Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) Superintendent of Police (SP) Jimmy Chiram said.

There was no impact of the bandh in other parts of the state as well, a senior government official said, adding, the state government has taken enough precautions to prevent any untoward incident during the day. Government offices, private establishments, educational institutions remained open, while banks, post offices worked normally, the SP said.

Farmers’ demands legitimate, says Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday requested the Centre to consider the demands of farmers protesting against the three farm laws, saying it will not be “bowing down” before anyone if it does so.

“We are celebrating the birth anniversary of Bhagat Singh. He made the supreme sacrifice for the freedom of the nation. He did not fight for freedom for a day when farmers have to sit on the streets and protest for a year to get their demands considered,” he said on the sidelines of an event to launch a tourism app for Delhi at the secretariat.

Ready for talks with govt, but no talks happening: Rakesh Tikait

Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait told ANI that the ‘Bharat Bandh’ was successful and that “we had the full support of farmers”. “We can’t seal down everything as we have to facilitate the movement of people. We are ready for talks with govt, but no talks are happening, "  Tikait added.

Bharat Bandh effect in Kerala latest update

Union minister V Muraleedharan slams Kerala govt for supporting Bharat Bandh

Union Minister V Muraleedharan rejected the farmer bodies’ claim that their movement was apolitical. Questioning that why were citizens of Kerala subjected to inconvenience, he pointed out that the state of Kerala did not have mandi system, which the contentious farm laws aim to revamp. “Agriculture laws that have been implemented, do not apply on Kerala because it does not have mandi system. Then why were the people subjected to torture in a protest opposing these laws. This shows the protest is not pro-farmer but anti-Modi.”

Bharat Bandh effect in Goa latest update

Bharat Bandh against agri laws fails to evoke response in Goa

The Bharat Bandh called by farmer unions against the Centre’s three agri laws failed to evoke any response in Goa so far on Monday, officials said. All services, including the public transport, banks, trains and commercial establishments, were operating normally in the coastal state, a senior police official said. There have been no protests. Life remained normal, he said.

There was no impact of the bandh in the state, he said, adding that enough precautions were taken to prevent any untoward incident during the day.

No ‘ghar wapsi’ until farm laws revoked and MSP guaranteed, says Rakesh Tikait

Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait said that the farmers’ call for a Bandh was fully successful with daily life suspended in several states such as Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh. 

Bharat Bandh effect in Madhya Pradesh latest update

Pro-farmers Twitter handle claims MP agriculture ministers constituency completely shut in support of farmers

Harda, the hometown of Madhya Pradesh’s agriculture minister Kamal Patel, seems to be emerging as an epicenter of farmers politics. The town observed complete shutdown to express solidarity with farmers. The state is governed by BJP currently, and the state government has espoused the three contentious central farm laws,

Bharat Bandh will compel Centre to listen to farmers: Rakesh Tikait

BKU leader Tikait said, “We are hopeful that this time (Bharat Bandh) the government will listen to our demands.” Denying that farmers only from western Uttar Pradesh were participating in the protest, therefore, the farmers’ protest will not be an issue in the 2022 Assembly elections, he said, “Farmers from all over India are with us”, adding that this movement was not just restricted to any one region.

Bharat Bandh effect in Karnataka latest update

Protesters have a run-in with cops at Bengaluru rally to support farmers; over 30 held

A rally was organised in Bengaluru to express solidarity with farmers. The protesters started marching from the town hall but the police objected to the march saying that the protesters did not have permission for the same. 

“We deployed 45 officers and 600 staff to ensure a peaceful rally. So far, 30 people have been detained near Maurya Junction: MN Anucheth, DCP Central

Bharat Bandh effect in Tamil Nadu latest update

Cops and farmers clash in Chennai during agitation; 2 held

President of Bhartiya Kisan Union’s rival faction criticizes Tikait for calling Bharat Bandh

Bharat Bandh effect in Gurugram latest update

Minimal effect of Bandh in National Capital

Autorickshaws and taxis are operating normally in Delhi and shops are open today, with their unions and associations extending only “in-principle support” to the strike. The farm mandi in Azadpur also remained open as the farmers who operate their have not supported the Bandh. 

Earlier, one of the national trade unions had also claimed that the clarion call for a nation-wide shut down was a “flop show” and had failed to garner people’s support.

Bharat Bandh effect in Gurugram latest update

‘Farmers’ Bharat Bandh a complete flop show’ has no effect in the country, says traders union

Even after the call of Bharat Bandh across the country by various farmer organizations today, there was no effect of it in the markets across the country including Delhi. All the markets including in Delhi remained fully open and business activities in the markets went on as normal. Stating this, the National President of Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) BC Bhartia and Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal have advised the farmer leaders to leave the path of struggle and find ways to negotiate with the government.

Traffic restrictions eased at Delhi-Gurugram border

“In view of Bharath Bandh, we barricaded the Rajokri border (Delhi-Gurugram) which resulted in a traffic jam at this section. Now, the situation is normal and traffic is smooth as we loosened the barricades,” says Ingit Pratap Singh, DCP Special Cell. 

Bharat Bandh effect in Gurugram latest update

Hundreds of vehicles stuck at Gurugram-Delhi border

Massive traffic snarl seen at Gurugram-Delhi border as vehicles entering the national capital are being checked by Delhi Police and paramilitary jawans, in wake of Bharat Bandh called by farmer organisations today.

Bharat Bandh latest update

SKM leader Yogendra Yadav says farmer protest a success, getting support of people from all walks of life

Bharat Bandh effect latest update

Train operations affected in Delhi, Ambala and Firozpur divisions

Train operations are affected in Delhi, Ambala and Firozpur divisions as people are sitting on railway tracks. More than 20 locations are being blocked in Delhi division. About 25 trains were affected in Ambala and Firozpur divisions, Northern Railway officials told ANI.

Bharat Bandh: Who called for it and Why?

Thousands of farmers from Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring states had gathered at Muzaffarnagar on 5 September for a ‘Kisan mahapanchayat’, organised by the SKM, and had unanimously called for a complete Bharat Bandh on 27 September against the three contentious farm laws.

The SKM, the umbrella body of over 40 farm unions spearheading the farmers’ agitation, later said in a statement, " The SKM appeals to every Indian to join this nationwide movement and make the ‘Bharat Bandh’ a resounding success. In particular, we appeal to all organisations of workers, traders, transporters, businessmen, students, youth and women and all social movements to extend solidarity with the farmers that day."

‘Aaj Bharat Bandh Hai’: Rahul Gandhi supports farmers’ protest call, slams ’exploitative govt’

Expressing support for protesting farmers, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said the farmers’ non-violent ‘satyagraha’ is still resolute but the “exploitative” government does not like this and that is why a ‘Bharat Bandh’ has been called.

Bharat Bandh effect latest update

Farmers’ body says no politicos allowed on their stage

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), the collective organisation that called for the Bharat Bandh, said although all political parties have been asked to support Monday’s strike, none of them, or their representatives, will be given space on the farmers’ stage. They are, however, free to can set up their own stages in support of the farmers.

Bharat Bandh effect in Haryana latest update

Delhi-Amritsar National Highway blocked by farmers in Kurukshetra

Bharat Bandh effect in Punjab latest update

Heavy traffic in Punjab and Haryana due to Bharat Bandh

Monday morning witnessed heavy police presence at various places in Haryana and Punjab to maintain law and order in view of the Bharat Bandh called by farmers. Protesting farmers parked their tractors on highways and major link roads in both Punjab and Haryana and squatted on the road. The police diverted traffic at several places as the farmers blocked the highways.