A day after farmers’ organizations in Punjab and Haryana began three-day ‘rail roko’ protesting the passage of three contentious farm bills in the Rajya Sabha, farmers organizations all across the country will take to the street on Friday pressing for their demands of legal guarantee of minimum support prices (MSP). A total of 31 farmers’ organizations have extended their support to the call of a Bharat Bandh today.

All India Farmers Union (AIFU), Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), All India Kisan Mahasangh (AIKM), and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) announced a nationwide bandh. Farmers’ bodies from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra have also called for a shutdown.

Also Read | Punjab CM appeals to farmers to maintain law and order during ‘Bharat Bandh’

RSS-affiliated farmers’ organizations like Bhartiya Kisan Sangh, Swadeshi Jagran Manch are also demanding amendment to the legislations but they won’t be taking part in the protest today.

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 extended their support.

Which political parties are supporting the Bharat Bandh?

Congress on Thursday extended support to the call of the Bharat Bandh. A total of 18 parties,including AAP, Congress, the Left parties, NCP, DMK, SP, Trinamool Congress, RJD, urged the President to not sign the bills.

Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh has urged the farmers to maintain law and order and to adhere to Covid-19 safety protocols. No FIR will be registered for the violation of Section 144 during the protest, the CM has said.

Also Read | Haryana farmers, commission agents back Bharat Bandh against farm reform bills

Train services to be affected

Fourteen special passenger trains running from the railways’ Ferozepur division have been cancelled from September 24 to 26 in view of the farmer outfits’ three-day rail roko protest. The trains that were suspended include Golden Temple Mail (Amritsar-Mumbai Central), Jan Shatabdi Express (Haridwar-Amritsar), New Delhi-Jammu Tawi, Sachkhand Express (Nanded-Amritsar), and Shaheed Express (Amritsar-Jaynagar).

The farmers organizations have decided to go for an indefinite rail blockage from October 1.

Delhi-Haryana border likely to be sealed

Delhi-Haryana border is likely to be sealed as protesters can march towards the capital city. Delhi Police is on high alert.

3-hour chakka jam across Punjab

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) will observe a three-hour chakka jam (road blockade) across Punjab from 11am to 2pm in all constituencies.

On September 20, the Rajya Sabha passed the Farmers` Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill amid protest from Opposition parties.