8th December Bharat Bandh: What is open and What is closed

What is Bharat Bandh?

The Bharat Band call by the farmers is a nationwide strike call in protest against three agricultural laws or Bills passed by the Centre. “It will be an emphatic Bharat Bandh on December 8”, All India Kisan Federation president Prem Singh Bhangu reportedly said on Saturday after the fifth round of talks between farmers' leaders and the Centre failed to break the deadlock. The sixth round of talks has been scheduled for Wednesday 9th December 2020.

Will it be a day-long, strike?

The Bharat Bandh is unlikely to be a morning to night Bandh or shutdown. Bhartiya Kisan Union ( BKU ) leader Rakesh Tikait announced on Monday, just a day ahead of the proposed strike, that the farmer union don’t want to cause problems for the common man and they would start the all-India strike from 11 am to 3 pm so that the office goers don’t face any trouble. He also assured that the strike won’t affect the emergency services and family social events planned by people - such as weddings etc. “It is a symbolic protest to register our opposition. It is to show that we don't support some of the policies of the government,” Tikait said.

Here's the list of services that are likely to face the impact of Bandh tomorrow:

Bank services: Bank services are likely to be affected on Tuesday, December 8. A number of bank unions have offered their support to the farmers. In a statement, the All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) said that the government should come forward and resolve their demands in the interest of the nation and farmers. Officer unions All India Bank Officers' Confederation (AIBOC), All India Bank Officers' Association (AIBOA) and Indian National Bank Officers' Congress (INBOC) have requested the government to initiate meaningful dialogue to resolve the impasse by referring the bills to a select committee by a special Presidential Order. 

Milk and Vegetable supply: Farmer leaders have said that milk and vegetable supply will be affected on December 8. So, people should buy the essentials a day before.

Transportation: Commuters may face problems as some auto and taxi unions have decided to join ''Bharat Bandh'' on December 8 called by farmer unions protesting against the recent farm laws. However, many other unions have decided to continue normal service despite their support to demand raised by the farmers. Delhi Taxi Tourist Transporters Association President Sanjay Samrat said in a statement that several unions, including Delhi State Taxi Cooperative Society, and Kaumi Ekta Welfare Association will join the strike on December 8.

Emergency: Emergency and ambulance, hospital services will not be affected.