Farmers protest against new central and state farm laws in Bengaluru on Monday. (Photo: PTI)
The Karnataka Bandh has partially affected normal public life as public transport has been affected and business establishments have drawn down the blinds in support of farmers.
- CNN-News18 Bangalore
- Last update: September 28, 2020 11:49 AM IST
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Karnataka Bandh, which was called by more than 108 organizations against the Center and the recent state laws related to agriculture, is accelerating across the state. There has been a good response to the bandh in at least 25 of the 30 total districts of Karnataka.
The bandh has partially affected normal public life as public transport has been affected and business establishments have drawn down the blinds in support of farmers. After their talks with Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa failed, the farmers decided to observe the bandh on Monday.
They oppose the APMC reform law and the Karnataka government’s decision to allow everyone to buy agricultural land, calling it a death sentence for the agrarian community.
Angry farmers have blocked national highways in many parts of the state. Bandh has also had a good response in the BJP stronghold of the Mumbai – Karnataka region. Farmers have hit the roads in Hubli, Dharwad, Bijapur, Haveri, Gadag, Bagalkote and other major towns and cities.
Farmers from the Hyderabad – Karnataka region have also participated in the bandh.
In the Old Mysore region, the bandh has a mixed response. Farmers protest in Mysore, Mandya, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Tumkur, Chickmagalur, Davanagere and Shimoga against what they call a grave injustice against farmers.
Organizers allege that recent agricultural sector reforms are aimed at helping the business sector, robbing farmers of their livelihoods. Angry farmers have burned the effigy of PM Modi and CM Yediyurappa in some places.
Organizers have asked the main political parties not to participate in the bandh, claiming that it is an apolitical protest to safeguard the interests of farmers. In Dharwad, the BJP and supporters of Congress were sent back from the protest site.
The ruling BJP in Karnataka has distanced himself from the bandh that advocates for agricultural sector reforms. The main protest takes place in Bangalore.
The Bangalore City Police have adopted complex security measures to prevent adverse incidents. They have warned farmers that the cost will be recovered from them if they damage public properties. B Nagendra, one of the organizers, claimed that the Karnataka government is using excessive force to quell their protests.
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