Ludhiana: In support to farmers’ call for an all-India bandh on December 8, a large number of Ludhiana traders and industrialists have decided to keep their establishments closed.
Shopkeepers of the city’s prominent Sarabha Nagar market have unanimously agreed to keep their shops closed and some have pasted posters on doors, informing about it. Some have also started sending WhatsApp messages and SMSs to their customers, informing about closed day on December 8.
Factory owners too have come forward to support the strike and a meeting was organised on Sunday afternoon in Janta Nagar that was attended by a large number of industrialists.
Industrialist Jaswinder Thukral, who organised the meeting, said, “In order to benefit select corporates, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is sacrificing poor farmers of the country. Braving the cold weather, farmers and their families are camping on the borders of Delhi, asking the Centre to strike down the anti-farmer laws, but they are not being heard. In such a situation, it becomes the duty of everyone, including industrialists, to support our anndata.”
Harjinder Kukreja, a restaurateur and member of Sarabha Nagar Market Shopkeepers’ Association, said, “This is the first time ever that we are supporting a bandh call, as we want to do our bit for farmers. We have decided to keep our shops and offices closed on December 8 and have already installed hoardings, informing customers about it. Besides, we are also making shopkeepers of other markets and residents aware about farmers’ cause and asking them to observe Bharat bandh.”
Pawan Kumar Dand, industrialist from Shimlapuri, said, “Sunday’s meeting was attended by many businessmen from nearby areas, too, and everyone has agreed unconditionally to support the bandh call. .”