Bharat Bandh 2024: Farmers' Call for Crop Price Assurance Echoes Nationwide

Tens of thousands of farmers, under the banner of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), are raising their voices once again, demanding guaranteed crop prices. This resurgence follows the successful repeal of three contentious agricultural laws in 2021, marking a pivotal moment in the farmers' ongoing struggle.

**BKU's Call for Gramin Bharat Bandh:**

Part of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), the BKU has called for a nationwide Gramin Bharat Bandh on February 16. The date holds significance as farmers rally to address unmet demands, emphasizing the need for crop price assurances and other agricultural reforms.

**Protest Measures and Statements:**

Pawan Khatana, a prominent BKU leader, called for a "Bharat bandh" where farmers suspend work for a day, urging the government to heed their demands. This includes refraining from farm work, avoiding market visits, and encouraging traders and transporters to join the strike.

**Farmers' Grievances and Unfulfilled Demands:**

Despite the repeal of the controversial laws in 2021, farmers express dissatisfaction with the government's progress on crucial demands. Key among these demands are guaranteed crop prices, doubling of farmers' income, and loan waivers. The call for legislation ensuring minimum prices remains central to their protests.

**List of Farmers' Demands:**

1. **Legal Guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP):** Farmers argue for MSP as a safety net, advocating for legal guarantees to protect their margins.

2. **Withdrawal of Cases from Previous Protests:** Farmers demand the withdrawal of cases registered during the 2020-21 agitation.

3. **Pensions for Farmers:** Inclusion of pensions for farmers in the list of demands.

4. **Loan Waivers:** Advocating for relief through loan waivers to alleviate financial burdens.

5. **Withdrawal from World Trade Organization:** A call for withdrawal from international trade agreements.

6. **Government Commitment to Double Incomes:** Farmers urge the government to honor its promise to double their incomes, citing rising cultivation costs and stagnant incomes.

7. **50% Profit Assurance:** Insistence on the government ensuring a minimum of 50% profit over the overall cost of production.

**Reflecting on 2021:**

In November 2021, the government's decision to repeal the controversial laws was seen as a victory for farmers. However, the ongoing protests highlight concerns about the government's commitment to addressing the broader spectrum of farmers' demands.

**Conclusion:**

The Gramin Bharat Bandh serves as a collective voice for farmers seeking tangible reforms in India's agricultural landscape. As the nation witnesses this renewed movement, it prompts reflection on the challenges faced by farmers and the ongoing struggle for a fair and sustainable agricultural future.