Farmers Bharat Bandh, December 8: Support surges across all sections

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With innumerable student organisations, trade Unions, political parties and multiple individuals backing farmers, the peasants’ movement is ready lock, stock and barrel to begin Bharat Bandh on December 8, 2020.

During a press conference, the Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) said that the bandh would go on from morning till evening on Tuesday while the chakka jam will be observed from early morning around 10 AM to # PM in the evening. Ambulances, and other emergency services will be allowed to continue however milk and vegetable deliveries will be blocked.

Meanwhile, some of Delhi’s auto and taxi Unions said that they would join Tuesday agitations suggesting problems for city commuters. However, many other unions decided to continue normal service despite their support to farmers demand to repeal the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

Similarly, the joint platform of Central Trade Unions (CTUs) and sectoral federations/associations called upon workers, employees irrespective of affiliations, to organize with farmers on December 8. They also commended farmers for their resounding success on November 26 and November 27.

The complete statement of the CTUs can be seen here:

As many as 20 political parties have extended support to Bharat Bandh including the Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP.)

कृषि से सम्बंधित तीन नये कानूनों की वापसी को लेकर पूरे देश भर में किसान आन्दोलित हैं व उनके संगठनों ने दिनांक 8 दिसम्बर को ’’भारत बंद’’ का जो एलान किया है, बी.एस.पी उसका समर्थन करती है। साथ ही, केन्द्र से किसानों की माँगों को मानने की भी पुनः अपील।
— Mayawati (@Mayawati) December 7, 2020

Other supportive political parties are: the Indian National Congress, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Communist Party of India, the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Nationalist Congress Party, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, the Samajwadi Party, the Shiv Sena, the Shiromani Akali Dal, the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist), the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (Gupkar Alliance), the All India Trinamool Congress, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, the Aam Aadmi Party, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, the Peasants and Workers Party of India, the Bahujan Vikas Aaghadi and the Revolutionary Socialist Party.

However, SKM member Darshan Pal appealed to all political parties to leave their separate identities flags and join the common banner of farmers’ movement.

Same as political parties, student Unions like the All India Students Association (AISA) promised to campaign across the country demanding repealing of three anti-farmer laws and called on students to participate in the Bharat Bandh on December 8 by farmers organisation against corporate takeover of agriculture.

Adding to this growing mass of support, the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana requested advocates from Haryana, Chandigarh and Punjab to abstain from work. A similar call has been given to advocates across India. As a show of support, the council also stated it would send 1000 blankets and dry ration to farmers at Singhu border.

The complete statement can be seen below:

The support did not end there. On December 7, as many as 44 artists also voiced their support for farmers’ cause. Their names are as follows: Vivan Sundaram, M.K.Raina, Ram Rahman, Geeta Kapur, Parthiv Shah, Sohail Hashmi, Madangopal Singh, Indu Chandrasekhar, Veer Munshi, C.P.Chandrasekhar, S. Kalidas, Vidya Shah, Saeed Mirza, Aban Raza, Irfan Habib, Jasbir Jassi N.K.Sharma, Atluri Murali, P.K.Shukla, Zoya Hasan, Shireen Moosvi, Rajinder Arora, Rajni Arora, Valay Singh, Simar Puneet, Pallavi Gaur, Arushi Vats, Ahmar Raza, Nuzhat Kazmi, Shriyam Gupta, Vishwaraj Mohan, Shatam Ray, Shreya Varma, Maitreyi Sinha, Priyanshi Saxena, Samira Haksar, Shreya Varma, Gopa, Rishabh Arora, Tsering Negi, Kumaraswamy Pashikanti, Deepani Seth, Subrat Beura, Prerna Kapur.

Meanwhile, the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) in Thanjvur Tamil Nadu and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) member Thol thirumavalavan along with Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) Kamal Hassan also observed protests supporting farmers on Monday.

Meanwhile, an All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) protest in Bhubaneshwar resulted in altercations with local police.

In a press statement the farmers’ organisation said, “The AIKSCC preparations for the Bharat Bandh all over India are going on in full swing. Rallies are moving to make mass appeals for participation and several political parties, trade unions, student, youth, women’s organizations have extended their support. A new feature is the enthusiastic participation of young city intellectuals who are moving in support.”