(Image source from: Twitter.com/ANI)
Farmer unions, in collaboration with Central Trade Unions, have declared a nationwide strike called Gramin Bharat Bandh on February 16. This strike aims to emphasize their remaining demands to the Central government. In response to the recent clashes between farmers and security forces during the 'Dilli Chalo' march, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has urged all like-minded farmer organizations to unite and participate in the Gramin Bharat Bandh. The SKM and trade unions have scheduled the Gramin Bharat Bandh to take place from 6 AM to 4 PM on February 16. Additionally, the protesting farmers have announced their intention to hold massive chakka jams on main roads from 12 PM to 4 PM on Friday, as reported by Indian Express. This will result in the closure of state and national highways in Punjab for four hours. The key demands of the protesting farmers and trade unions encompass various issues, such as farmer pensions, minimum support prices for crops, the implementation of the old pension scheme, and the withdrawal of labor law amendments. Other demands include the prevention of PSU privatization, the elimination of workforce contractualization, and the assurance of guaranteed employment.
The list of demands put forth by the farmers includes various issues concerning employees, such as the removal of the Operational Performance-linked Salary (OPS) implementation, revisions to labor laws, and other similar requests. Additionally, the farmers are also advocating for the enhancement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), the reinstatement of the previous pension scheme, and the provision of pension and social security for all individuals in both formal and informal sectors. On February 16, during the Bharat Bandh, which will last for an entire day, several activities will be halted. This includes transportation, agricultural activities, rural works under the MNREGA, private offices, village shops, and institutions in the rural industrial and service sectors.
Dr. Darshan Pal, a member of the SKM National Coordination Committee, informed the Indian Express that on the day of the Bharat Bandh, villages will refrain from engaging in any agricultural activities, rural works under the MNREGA, or any other form of work. He emphasized that no farmer, agricultural worker, or rural worker will carry out any tasks on that day. However, he clarified that essential services like ambulance operations, newspaper distribution, weddings, medical shops, and students going for board exams will not be disrupted during the strike. Furthermore, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) strongly criticized the central government for employing excessive force, including the use of batons, rubber bullets, tear gas, and mass arrests, in order to impede the Delhi Chalo March organized by farmer organizations on Tuesday. The SKM expressed their condemnation towards these actions.
