The much spoken about and debated Farmers’ protest opposing the Farm Bills in India has taken the Government and India by storm. India and especially its capital, Delhi has been facing continuous protests since the farmers have come on roads in tens of thousands to request the government to hear them out on the issues that they feel do not seem to align with the Farmers’ interests.

About 80% of farmers are to be considered to be affected by the imposition of the farm laws. Looking at the situation as it is adding steam to the adverse impacts on Farmers, the movement has called upon various unions in Delhi, Punjab, and other states to stand with them. One of the leading issues has been the non-regulation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) of crops otherwise as per the Farm Bills the existence of small landowners/leased farmland would be facing total annihilation at the hands of corporates or other private body who would neglect their crop output, thus hitting their source of income. It is quite well known that the Indian agricultural system is quite mismanaged and is in a poor condition.

With the current situation of Farmers’ protest having landed on Delhi’s doorstep, on December 8, the farmers have declared Bharat Bandh at an all India level, and with support from many prominent political parties. Congress, Shiv Sena, DMK, AAP, Kamal Hassan’s MNP, Left parties, TMC, and TRS have joined the protests by providing support and furthermore it has been anticipated that Banking Services, Milk and Vegetable Supplies will be affected. All India Kisan Federation President, Prem Singh Bhangu suggested this on December 5, Saturday evening after the fifth round of talks between the farmers and the central government failed to lock horns.

Farmers have expressed their apprehension that the implementation of Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 will dismantle the MSP system and will lead to extreme privatization. The government’s stand has been firm so far to not roll back the bills but it has still suggested that amends can be done, while the resolve of the farmers is unmovable.

Entrusted in September, the laws have been projected by the government as a major change in the agriculture system intended to remove middlemen and allow farmers to sell anywhere in India.

The police have advised those commuting to Delhi to use alternative routes and avoid National Highway routes due to the Bharat Bandh movement.