KOLHAPUR: Several organisations, political parties supported the ‘Bharat Bandh’ call given to mark protest against the three farm laws. The Centre has proposed three laws related to the agriculture sector, which are being opposed by different farmers’ outfits and organisations.
The Bharat Bandh call received mixed response in Kolhapur city and good response in the rural parts of the district. The farmers and labour outfits under Samyukt Kisan Kamgar Sabha had given the call. The workers of outfits prominently leftist organisations, farmers outfits such as Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana and political parties such as Congress and Nationalist Congress Party participated in large numbers.
In rural areas, the agriculture operations were kept on hold. The supply of produce to the city mandi’s was stopped. The Agriculture Produce Market Committee of Kolhapur city too was shut, which led to shortage of vegetables in the city. Many mandis were shut completely and some operated with local farmers bringing the produce to sell.
The representatives of all organisations, except Bharatiya Janata Party, held demonstrations at Bindu Chowk of Kolhapur city. Addressing the crowd, veteran leader Sampat Pawar said, “The Bharat Bandh call has got good response from the citizens of all walks of life. Our demands are to repeal the anti-farmer laws, repeal the plans which will make labour cheap and privatised. The response of most parties and organisations in support of farmers and workers is unprecedented and the unity will remain intact till the demands are not met.”
Upon the request of the several trader associations, the shutting down of shops was not mandatory to show support for Bharat Bandh. The convenors claimed that since the traders have faced difficulties during the lockdown, it was not appropriate to make them mandatory shut shops. Still, shops from rural areas were shut for a couple of hours as token support to the demands.
