India

Rakesh Tikait Says Farmer Groups Would Observe ‘Bharat Bandh’ On February 16

Rakesh Tikait, a farmer leader, announced on Wednesday that farmers would observe a “Bharat Bandh” on February 16 in protest of a number of national issues, including the failure to enact a law that ensures maximum support price (MSP) for crops. According to Tikait, the national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), in addition to farmers’ groups, traders and transporters have also been asked to support the cause and observe a work strike on that particular day.

Agriculture strike on Feb 16

“We have called for a ‘Bharat bandh’ on February 16. Several farmers’ groups are part of it, including the Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM). Farmers should also not go to their farms on that day and strike work. Earlier also farmers skipped the day of ‘Amavasya’ from working on the fields. Likewise, February 16 is ‘Amavasya’ only for farmers. They should not work that day and resort to ‘agriculture strike’. This will send a big message in the country,” he told reporters in Muzaffarnagar.

“We are also appealing to traders (for support) and people should also not make any purchase that day.  We appeal to shopkeepers to keep their shops closed in support of the farmers and labourers,” he said.

Also Read: Lioness Hit By Train In Gujarat’s Amreli Dies; 3rd Incident This Month

Reason for ‘Bharat Bandh’

On the objective for the strike call, Tikait said there are several reasons for it. “The chief among reasons is the law on MSP Guarantee, unemployment, the Agniveer scheme, pension scheme is also a big issue in the country for the people retiring from service,” Tikait said.

He clarified that other organizations would also be taking part in this strike, so it wouldn’t just be a farmers’ strike. He said that on February 16, the transporters’ community, which had just demonstrated against the new, strict law against drivers of cars involved in collisions, has also been asked to go on strike.

Srishti Verma

Recent Posts

PM Modi Meets Bhutan PM Tobgay At BIMSTEC Summit; Highlights Strong Bilateral Ties & Regional Cooperation

PM Narendra Modi met Bhutanese PM Tshering Tobgay on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC…

3 hours ago

Jamia Students Back Waqf Amendment Bill; Call It A Step Toward Empowerment

The student group 'Shaher-E-Arzoo' expressed firm support for the Waqf Amendment Bill, calling it a…

5 hours ago

India’s Exports To The US Face Limited Impact From Tariff Hike: SBI Report

The 27% tariff hike by US President Donald Trump on Indian goods will have only…

6 hours ago

Waqf Freed From Mafia Control, New Era Of Development Begins For Muslims: MRM

Following the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 in both Houses of Parliament, celebrations…

7 hours ago

India’s Forex Reserves Surge To $665.4 Billion; Rupee Strengthens As Trade Deficit Narrows

India’s forex reserves jumped $6.6 billion to a five-month high of $665.4 billion for the…

7 hours ago

Laxmi Singh Leads Gautam Buddha Nagar Police To Historic No 1 Rank In IGRS Across All Stations

Gautam Buddha Nagar Police, led by CP Laxmi Singh, achieved a historic feat with all…

8 hours ago