Will banks be closed on Feb 16 due to Bharat Bandh?

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha, in collaboration with Central Trade Unions, has called for a nationwide ‘Grameen Bandh’. Pawan Khatana, a local leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), stated that during the “Bharat Bandh”, farmers are urged to abstain from work for a day to emphasize their demands to the government. The protestors will remain in their respective areas and will not march towards Delhi.

There is no notice from the Reserve Bank of India mandating the closure of banks. However, the strike may disrupt normal banking services, especially in rural areas. Media reports suggest that private and government offices, village shops, transportation services, agricultural activities, MNREGA rural works, and rural industrial and service sector institutions may observe closures on Friday during the Bharat Bandh. Essential services such as ambulance operations, medical shops, schools, and events like weddings will continue uninterrupted during the Bharat Bandh on Friday.

The demands of the protesting farmers include:

Guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP)
Debt Waiver
Pension Scheme
Rejection of Electricity Amendment Bill 2020
Reintroduction of Land Acquisition Act 2013
Justice for Lakhimpur Kheri Killings
Employment and Wage under MGNREGA
Compensation for Deceased Farmers

The protesting farmers are demanding the enactment of a law to guarantee MSP for all crops, in line with the Swaminathan Commission report, complete waiver of farmers’ debts, implementation of a pension scheme for both farmers and farm laborers, and seeking punishment for those involved in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, among other demands.

The Bharat Bandh is expected to have an impact on various sectors, affecting banking services, transportation, and rural activities. It is a demonstration of the farmers’ ongoing struggle to address their grievances and push for meaningful reforms in the agricultural sector.