Maharashtra: Farmers, Workers Unions Gear Up for Historic Bharat Bandh on Dec 8

Thousands and thousands of farmers have been camping at the borders of Delhi, demanding their rights from the Modi-led BJP government at the Centre. As they continue to protest against the pro-corporate policies of the government for the 13th day, huge support has poured in for their struggle from across the country, Maharashtra being no exception.

As a part of this support, the state is slated to witness a complete bandh on December 8 in response to the call for Bharat Bandh, called for by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha which includes 500 farmers’ organisations from across the country.

All farmer organisations, under the umbrella body of the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), are protesting across the entire state. The unions including those of hawkers, autorickshaw drivers and others have extended their support to the bandh, and also appealed to the opposition parties to the central ruling regime for their battle.

The Shiv Sena led coalition government, including the Nationalist Congress Party have also pledged their support to the bandh on Tuesday. "It is a historical fight of the farmers and we all must support actively to them. We believe that Modi Sarkar should have shown sensitivity while handling it (the farm laws). We appeal people to support the bandh spontaneously. Shiv Sena respects the emotions of farmers and support the bandh call given by various unions," Rajya Sabha MP of Shiv Sena Sanjay Raut told the media.

NCP chief and former union minister for agriculture Sharad Pawar also slammed the central government, saying, "Farmers of Punjab and Haryana not just feed the wheat and rice to our nation but they also export it to more than 15 countries. In such case, Modi Sarkar should not have allowed the situation to go to this extent. We are supporting their cause and also the bandh appealed for by various unions." He also said that the agitation is spreading across the country. Pawar along with leaders of non-Congress opposition parties will meet President Ramnath Kovind on December 9 for the same issue.

Also read: Widespread Support in Maharashtra for Farmers’ Protest in Delhi

Congress, too, has declared their support to Bharat Bandh. Maharashtra Congress has asked its workers to participate peacefully and actively in the strike. Along with these three major parties, others like Lokbharati, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana too have supported the bandh.

The preparation for bandh has already started in various cities. On Monday, transport union leaders held an online meeting and appealed to all their members to not come out on the road for the entire day. The autorickshaw union members have stuck posters supporting the farmers’ movement on their autos.

There is also widespread anticipation about the impact of the bandh in Mumbai, as its success in the financial capital will send a clear signal to the government about its support for the farmers’ cause. The city has not seen any major bandh since the last 20 years, except the period of lockdown due to COVID-19.