Famers call Bharat Bandh 

Protesting farmers in India have called for a Bharath Bandh (nationwide strike) as part of their ‘Dilli Chalo’ agitation.

The Bandh was called by the central trade unions on Friday. Earlier, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) requested all like-minded farmer groups to come together and be a part of the Bandh. 

Security has been tightened in New Delhi and surrounding regions amid the nationwide strike.

Farmers blocked highways and held demonstrations in many rural areas in northern India on Friday to protest over a range of grievances that have also led tens of thousands to march toward the capital in tractors and wagons.

Farmers in the northern states of Haryana and Punjab held sit-ins near toll plazas on major highways in the strike, supported by some trade unions. Authorities advised commuters to plan routes carefully to avoid blocked roads.