Bharat Bandh on 16th Feb 2024: What You Need to Know in Bangalore

On February 16, 2024, farmers across India will observe a nationwide strike, called Gramin Bharat Bandh, to protest against the government’s policies and demand better support for the agricultural sector.

The strike, which is supported by various trade unions and civil society groups, will affect various services and activities, especially in rural areas. Here are some key points to know about the Bharat Bandh and its impact in Bangalore.

What is the Bharat Bandh and why is it happening?

The Bharat Bandh is a collective action by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), a non-political group of farmers’ unions, and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, a coalition of workers’ unions. They are demanding the implementation of a law that guarantees minimum support price (MSP) for all crops, based on the C2+50% formula, which includes the input cost of capital plus 50%. 

They also want a written assurance that their crops will be procured by the government, debt waiver, no hike in electricity tariffs, no installation of smart meters, 300 units of free electricity for farming, household, and commercial purposes, comprehensive crop insurance, and an increase in pensions to Rs 10,000 per month, among other things.

The Bharat Bandh is part of the ongoing farmers’ protest that started in November 2023, when thousands of farmers marched from Punjab and Haryana to the borders of Delhi, where they have been camping ever since.

The farmers oppose three farm laws passed by the Parliament in September 2023, which they fear will leave them at the mercy of private corporations and undermine the MSP system. The government has held several rounds of talks with the farmers, but no breakthrough has been achieved so far.

What will be the impact of the Bharat Bandh on various sectors and services?

The Bharat Bandh is expected to have a significant impact on various sectors and services, especially in rural areas, where the farmers have a strong presence and influence. According to the SKM, the strike will take place from 6 am to 4 pm, during which farmers will participate in a massive chakka jam (road blockade) on major roads across the country from 12 pm to 4 pm. 

The SKM has also appealed to the public to support the strike and refrain from using any transport or buying goods during the bandh hours.

Some of the sectors and services that are likely to be affected by the Bharat Bandh are:

• Transportation: The movement of vehicles, both public and private, will be disrupted by the chakka jam and the closure of state and national highways in Punjab and Haryana. The railway services may also face delays or cancellations, as some farmers’ groups have announced plans to halt trains for four hours on February 15. The air travel may not be directly affected, but passengers may face difficulties in reaching the airports due to the road blockades.
• Banking: The banking services may be partially affected by the Bharat Bandh, as some trade unions have extended their support to the strike and urged their members to join the protest. However, the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) has clarified that the banks will remain open and functional on February 16.
• Education: The educational institutions, both online and offline, may be closed or disrupted by the Bharat Bandh, as some student and teacher unions have expressed their solidarity with the farmers and called for a boycott of classes on February 16.
• Agriculture: The agricultural activities will be severely affected by the Bharat Bandh, as most of the farmers will participate in the strike and divert their attention from the routine farming operations. The supply and demand of agricultural produce may also be affected, as the farmers have asked the public to refrain from buying any goods during the bandh hours.
• Industry and Commerce: The industrial and commercial activities, especially in rural areas, may be hampered by the Bharat Bandh, as some trade and business associations have announced their support to the strike and decided to keep their establishments closed on February 16. The services sector, such as hotels, restaurants, shops, and salons, may also face a slowdown or closure due to the bandh.

What will be the impact of the Bharat Bandh in Bangalore?

Bangalore, being a major urban and IT hub, may not witness a major impact of the Bharat Bandh, as compared to other cities and towns in Karnataka. However, some minor inconveniences and disruptions may be expected, as some groups and organizations have announced their support to the strike and planned to hold protests and rallies in the city.

Some of the possible effects of the Bharat Bandh in Bangalore are:

• Transportation: The transportation services in Bangalore may be partially affected by the Bharat Bandh, as some auto-rickshaw and taxi unions have decided to join the strike and keep their vehicles off the roads on February 16. The bus services, operated by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), may also face some delays or cancellations, as some of their employees have expressed their support to the farmers. The metro services, however, are likely to run as usual, as the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has not announced any change in its schedule.
• Banking: The banking services in Bangalore may be slightly affected by the Bharat Bandh, as some bank employees may join the strike and abstain from work on February 16. However, most of the banks are expected to remain open and functional, as the AIBEA has clarified that the banks will not participate in the bandh.
• Education: The educational institutions in Bangalore may be closed or disrupted by the Bharat Bandh, as some student and teacher unions have called for a boycott of classes on February 16. The online classes may also be affected, as some students and teachers may join the protest or face internet issues due to the bandh.
• Industry and Commerce: The industrial and commercial activities in Bangalore may be slightly affected by the Bharat Bandh, as some trade and business associations have extended their support to the strike and decided to keep their establishments closed or operate with reduced staff on February 16. The IT sector, however, may not face any major impact, as most of IT companies have not announced any change in their work schedule or mode.

So what does this mean for you? If you can, prefer working from home to avoid any trouble.

Keep an eye on the Bangalore Traffic Police Twitter handle for latest updates on Bharat Bandh.