A nation-wide bandh called by the farmers to protest the three new farm laws was observed in West Bengal. Protestors came out in large numbers from early in the morning, with flags and placards.
Roads were largely empty with very few vehicles. The scenes were same across the state. Most transport unions have supported the bandh. Goods vehicles are thus not moving throughout the country, including West Bengal. In Maharasthra, all kisan mandis are closed in support of the farmers’ strike. The same situation prevailed in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telengana.
Left workers have been out in the streets across West Bengal in support of the bandh. The CPI(M) walked various marches in Kolkata and elsewhere. Various Left parties held meetings and marches, speaking in favour of the farmers’ rights and how the new laws would affect farmers negatively.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had expressed her support for the bandh, though her party is against bandhs in principle. But for the cause of farmers there was an exception, Banerjee said. For this reason, she attended her public meeting at Ranigunj after the bandh was officially over at 3 pm.
