Political parties extend support to ‘Bharat Bandh’ against agri bills

New Delhi, Sep 24 (UNI) Opposition parties and farmers’ groups across the country, including the Congress and the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), are gearing up for the countrywide protest ‘Bharat Bandh’ from Friday against the farm Bills passed by both Houses of the Parliament.
On Wednesday, senior Congress leader AK Antony had announced an agitation of nearly two-month-long ‘mass movement’ against the government for passing the ‘anti-farmer’ and ‘anti-people laws.’
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had also accused the Narendra Modi government of “making farmers ‘slaves’ of the capitalists…”.
For the first time, 31 farmer bodies in Punjab and Haryana cutting across party lines are protesting against the farm Bills.
According to Railways, Special passenger trains running from the Ferozepur division in Punjab were cancelled fully or partially from Thursday to Saturday in view of the three-day ‘Rail Roko’ (stop trains) protests. Freight movement also likely to be hit largely.
Farmer groups including All India Farmers Union (AIFU), Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), All India Kisan Mahasangh (AIKM), and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) and farmers’ bodies from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra have also called for a shutdown on Friday.
Ten Central trade unions, including All India Trade Union Congress, National Trades Union Congress, Centre of Indian Trade Unions, Hind Mazdoor Sabha, All India United Trade Union Centre and Trade Union Coordination Centre have also supported the nationwide protest.
Contrary to the stands of major farmers’ bodies, in Maharashtra, the farmer’s union founded by noted farmer leader Sharad Joshi, Shetkari Sanghtana, is planning to hit the streets on September 25 in support of the legislations which, according to the outfit, are long overdue.
However, All India Kisan Sangharsha Sammitee (AIKSS), the umbrella body of over 200 farmer organisations, on Sunday issued a statement criticising the ‘corporatisation’ of the farm sector.
The bills, which have already cleared the Lok Sabha is just need a signature from President Ram Nath Kovind to become law.
Led by District president of Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam M.P.Chinnadurai, the agitators affiliated to Cauvery Rights Retrieval Committee, an umbrella organization of farmers, political parties and Makkal Adhikaram outfit on Thursday burnt copies of the farm bills that were passed in Parliament.
Aam Aadmi Party Puducherry unit also held a demonstration in the Union Territory.

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