Historic Response to Bharat Bandh Called by United Kisan Movement

The Bharat Bandh called by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) today received magnificent support from people all over the country. Many states like Punjab, Haryana, West Bengal, Tripura, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamilnadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka observed a near-total Bandh situation. In all other states also there was good response from people. In the BJP-ruled states of UP, Gujarat and Haryana, hundreds of activists were arrested. In Kerala due to the local body elections the Bandh was not observed but massive demonstrations were organised before Central Government offices and traders downed shutters.

The historic response to the Bandh is a resolute message to the BJP Government and Prime Minister Modi that the anti-farmer acts have to be withdrawn and the united movement will continue till the demand is accepted. AIKS thanks the Central Trade Unions, organisations of the working class, agricultural labour, students, youth women, advocates, teachers, traders and the different political parties for the support extended to the Bandh.

All over the country, shops and other establishments closed their shutters. Several transport organisations had stopped their trucks from plying. Innumerable national and state highways were blocked by farmers, as also the railways in some states. Farmers, workers, agricultural labourers, students, youth, women, teachers, advocates, railway workers, also participated in massive numbers in huge demonstrations throughout the country.

The Bharat Bandh showed the great level of anger amongst the people against the repression of the government on farmers and also against the anti-farmer and pro-corporate Farm Acts. It also showed the massive unity of the people transcending religion, caste and language.

Among those who were arrested at Bilaspur near Gurugram were CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP and AIKS Joint Secretary K K Ragesh, AIKS finance secretary P Krishna Prasad, AIDWA general secretary Mariam Dhawale, AIAWU joint secretary Vikram Singh, CITU Haryana State President Surekha, CWFI President Sukhbir Singh Prabhat, and over 250 others. Among those arrested in Gujarat were CITU State president Arun Mehta, AIKS state president Dayabhai Gajera and many others. The AIKS condemns the BJP state governments for these arrests, demands their immediate release and that all cases against them be withdrawn forthwith.

The AIKS warmly congratulates the people of India on the historic success of this Bharat Bandh.

Ashok Dhawale, President

Hannan Mollah, General Secretary