Live Updates From Ground Zero: Farmers' Bharat Bandh Unfolds

Shops and commercial establishments have been shut as public transport services were disrupted in many parts of the country in response to the Bharat Bandh call issued by farmers demanding a repeal of the new agri laws. The bandh was largely peaceful. 

While the final round of talks between the government and agitated farmers are going to be held tomorrow, farmers are ready to prolong their struggle till the three laws are rolled back.

Kavita Kuruganti, convener of Alliance for Sustainable And Holistic Agriculture said, "Tomorrow will be the last opportunity for the Narendra Modi government to redeem their respect especially among farmers by accepting their demands." She added that incase govt fails to accept the demands, the farm leaders will tomorrow discuss the further course of action. But one thing that this agitation has done is that it has brought farmers across the country together though all may not have managed to reach Delhi.

However, emergency services were exempted and banks, too, continued operations as the pan-India shutdown, backed by most Opposition parties and many trade unions, came into effect with the maximum impact being witnessed in states such as Punjab, Haryana and Delhi.

The national capital has been at the epicentre of the protests. The Inter State Bus Terminal (ISBT) at Kashmere Gate has been shut since morning.

Farmers from different parts of the country including from from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have been camping at the Delhi-Haryana border for the past few days. Many protesting farmers from Tamil Nadu were arrested earlier in the day.

The protesters expressed their displeasure and anger not just at the Centre but also at various national media organisations for failing the farmers.

 "The media has been playing in the hands of government and they have failed the farmers. They don't understand our problems and manipulate news based on what the government says, Ranjit Singh a farmer from Bhatinda said.

Meanwhile, many farmers from Madhya Pradesh have to the Delhi border to support the agitation and will be in Delhi till the issue is resolved.

 The strike which was initially called to protest against Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, the Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020, had now been extended to the Power Bill 2020.