Amidst the ongoing farmer protests at Delhi borders, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) alongside central trade unions has declared a nationwide strike, famously known as Gramin Bharat Bandh, scheduled for February 16. This strategic move aims to magnify the voices of farmers and exert pressure on the government to address their longstanding demands.
Scheduled to commence at 6 am and persist until 4 pm, the Gramin Bharat Bandh will witness widespread chakka jams on major thoroughfares from 12 pm to 4 pm. Concurrently, Punjab’s state and national roadways are slated for closure for a duration of four hours on the same day.
Anticipated repercussions include disruptions in transportation services, encompassing both public and private sectors. The strike is expected to induce a slowdown in farming operations as farmers actively participate, thereby impacting agricultural activities. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) operations are also poised to grind to a halt, adversely affecting rural employment opportunities.
The strike is poised to compel the closure of private offices and village shops. Moreover, solidarity with the farmers may lead to the closure of rural industrial and service sector institutions.
Nonetheless, essential services such as ambulance operations, newspaper distribution, and indispensable provisions for weddings and medical shops will continue unabated. Students appearing for board exams are assured that their examinations will not be disrupted by the strike.
At the heart of the farmers’ demands lies the imperative for legislation guaranteeing a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their produce. Such legislation is perceived as crucial in furnishing economic security to farmers, ensuring equitable remuneration for their toil.
Another pivotal demand pertains to fortifying the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to engender a surge in employment opportunities within rural precincts. This endeavor, in turn, holds the potential to mitigate poverty and furnish a safety net for rural laborers.
The reinstatement of the erstwhile pension scheme is fervently advocated by farmers as a means of extending financial security to the elderly. This poignant plea underscores farmers’ profound concern for the welfare of older generations who have steadfastly contributed to agriculture throughout their lifetimes.
Additionally, the overarching demand for pension and social security for all workers, spanning both formal and informal sectors, underscores the farmers’ commitment to broader societal welfare and economic stability. This holistic vision envisions a future where every individual involved in agriculture and allied sectors is endowed with requisite social and economic protections.
In essence, the Gramin Bharat Bandh symbolizes more than just a momentary disruption; it signifies a collective endeavor to recalibrate the socioeconomic landscape, empowering rural denizens and safeguarding their rights. As the nation braces for this nationwide strike, the resonating call for rural justice reverberates across the heartlands, underscoring the indomitable spirit of India’s agrarian populace.