Bharat Bandh On Feb 16: What's Open And Closed?

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and central trade unions have announced a nationwide strike on February 16, termed as Gramin Bharat Bandh, to amplify their demands. The strike, scheduled from 6 AM to 4 PM, will witness farmers participating in a massive chakka jam on major roads across the country from 12 PM to 4 PM.

Punjab is expected to witness the closure of a significant portion of both state and national highways for four hours during the protest. Harinder Singh Lakhowal, the General Secretary of BKU Lakhowal, unveiled the strategy concerning the Gramin Bharat Bandh during a meeting in Ludhiana.

Bharat Bandh:

The day-long strike on February 16 will commence at 6 AM and continue until 4 PM, with farmers engaging in a massive chakka jam from 12 PM to 4 PM.

• The protesting farmers from Punjab, joined by counterparts from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, initiated their 'Chalo Delhi' march on February 13 after an inconclusive meeting with the Union government.
• The SKM National Coordination Committee (NCC) member Dr. Darshan Pal mentioned that the bandh call was planned in December, and on this day, villages will remain closed for all agricultural activities, MNREGA, and rural works.
• Emergency services like ambulances, medical shops, newspaper supply, and students going for board exams will be allowed passage during the strike.
• The village shops, grain markets, vegetable markets, governmental and nongovernmental offices, rural industrial and service sector establishments, as well as private sector enterprises, have been urged to shut down during the strike.
• The strike is expected to disrupt transportation services and impact farming operations in rural India.

Exempted Services During Bharat Bandh:

Ambulance operations, newspaper distribution, essential services for weddings, medical shops, and students appearing for board exams will be exempted from the strike.