Amid growing support from unions and Opposition parties for tomorrow’s “Bharat Bandh” call, some services could get affected in Delhi – now the epicentre of farmers’ protests – and the rest of the country. The farmers have called for a “peaceful” nationwide shutdown on December 8, a day ahead of the sixth round of talks with the government for repeal of contentious farm laws.
“The protest is to show that we don’t support some government policies,” Bharatiya Kisan Union Spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said. Farmers reiterated they won’t give space to any political party and said their protest is “peaceful and will continue that way”. However, the centre has issued a nationwide advisory suggesting “tight security” for “peace” and ensuring Covid-19 guidelines are followed.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has rescheduled to December 13 the Chartered Accountants Foundation Examination paper-1 that was to be held tomorrow. Admit cards issued will remain valid; candidates are advised to keep checking the website.
In Delhi, fruits and vegetables could be in short supply. “Most of our traders are supporting the Bharat Bandh call. Hence, mandis at Ghazipur, Okhla and Narela will be heavily impacted,” said Adil Ahmed Khan, Chairman of the Azadpur Mandi – Asia’s largest wholesale market.
Commuters in Delhi and Tamil Nadu may face problems as some cab and taxi unions, including those associated with app-based aggregators, have decided to back the shutdown. But autos and those offering last-mile connectivity would continue to ply, unions said. Government said arrangements have been to ensure people can commute easily during the bandh.
Farmers urged people to extend their support non-violently and said their protest was not meant to “cause problems for the common man”. “Tomorrow’s Bharat Bandh is from 11 am to 3 pm. It is a symbolic protest. We will begin at 11 am so everyone can reach office on time… Services such as ambulance, even weddings, can go on. People can show their card and leave,” Bharatiya Kisan Union Spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said.
The Bandh is likely to be most well-observed in Punjab, which has extended its full support. Sit-in protests, some by opposition parties supporting farmers, are likely in Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Telanaga and northeastern states of Tripura and Assam, besides others. This is likely to create traffic congestions, and states are set to issue travel advisories. Gujarat has said it would act against those who try “to close shops and other establishments forcefully”.
