As the clock strikes 6 AM on February 16, workers and farmers across India are set to participate in a nationwide protest, declaring a sectoral industrial strike and Grameen Bharat Bandh. The protest, organized by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, aims to voice the collective demands of farmers and workers and draw attention to their long-standing issues.
Massive Chakka Jams and Endorsement from Public Figures
From 12 PM to 4 PM, farmers affiliated with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha will stage massive chakka jams on main roads, disrupting normal traffic flow and drawing attention to their cause. The joint call for the strike and Bharat Bandh has garnered support from public intellectuals and artists, who have issued a joint statement endorsing the workers’ and farmers’ actions. A total of 34 signatories appeal to people from all walks of life to support this significant movement for their rights.
Impact on Services and Emergency Operations
During the Bharat Bandh, various private and government offices, village shops, and transportation services may remain closed. However, essential services such as ambulance operations, medical shops, and schools are expected to function as usual. The nationwide protest seeks to create awareness about the struggles faced by workers and farmers, highlighting the importance of their demands for the overall well-being of the nation.
Key Demands of Samyukta Kisan Morcha
The demands put forward by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha include the implementation of a Minimum Support Price for crops based on the Swaminathan formula, legal guarantee of procurement, debt waiver, no hike in electricity tariff, and other welfare measures. These demands reflect the persistent challenges faced by farmers across the country and underscore the need for immediate attention from the government.
Ongoing Dialogue and Protest at Border Regions
Simultaneously, a panel of three Union ministers is scheduled to hold a meeting with protesting farmer leaders in Chandigarh. The meeting aims to address the ongoing concerns, with previous rounds of dialogue on February 8 and 12 remaining inconclusive. Meanwhile, farmers from Punjab continue their protest at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders of Punjab and Haryana, advocating for their demands and seeking acceptance from the central government.
