Farmer leaders call for ‘Bharat Bandh’ on 8 December

India, 4th December: On Friday, Farmer leaders called for protests against the three new farm laws to be intensified and called for Bharat Bandh on 8 December.

Yesterday, we told the Government (at the meeting) that the farm laws should be withdrawn. We have given a call for Bharat Bandh on 8 December,” said Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU-Lakhowal) General Secretary, H.S. Lakhowal at Singhu Border.

We need to take this protest forward. Government has to take back the farm laws,” said Hannan Mollah, General Secretary, All India Kisan Sabha, at Singhu border.

The farmer leaders have vowed to renew demand for MSP guarantee, repealing of farm laws during the meeting with the government.

Marathon talks between the government and agitating farmer unions on Thursday failed to end the standoff over the new farm laws as the protestors refused to budge on their demands and another round of discussions will be held two days later in a bid to force a resolution.

The government side, led by Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar assured the group of nearly 40 farmer leaders that all their valid concerns would be discussed and considered with an open mind, but the other side stuck to their demand of repealing the three “hastily-passed” farm laws, saying there were several loopholes and deficiencies.