The Samyukt Kisan Morcha has called the nationwide bandh to intensify the farmers’ agitation against the Centre’s three agricultural laws. Whether or not Mumbai will shut down completely as part of the September 27 Bharat Bandh will depend on the stand of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, farmer union leaders have said.
The president of the All-India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), Ashok Dhawale, told Afternoon Voice “We have announced bandh and that would take place everywhere else in the state, but as long as Mumbai is concerned, it would depend on what Maha Vikas Aghadi Government decides. However, there will still be blockades and appeals to close shops in the city to some point. Again, we are not going to force anyone, people can render their support in solidarity with farmers.”
A state-levelmeeting of the leaders of various political parties, farmers’ organizations, agricultural labourers as well as women, youth, students and teachers have been planned for September 20 at Bhupesh Gupta Bhawan in Prabhadevi.
Speaking about the plans for September 27 Bandh, Dhavle said, “We will go down to the masses level everywhere and hold numerous meetings in rural areas, towns, and cities. Leaflets will be distributed in the seven days leading up to the bandh. This bandh will also coincide with the completion of 10 months of the farmers’ struggle, which is on September 26,” Dhawale added.
In a statement, Jan Andolananchi Sangharsh Samiti, Samyukta Shetkari Kamgar Morcha, All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee, Trade Unions Joint Action Committee, Unorganized Workers Struggle Committee, and Hum Bharat ke Log/Nation for Farmers called for a state-level preparatory meeting for Bharat Bandh at 5 pm on September 20.
