After holding separate protests against agriculture Bills, now farmer organisations — Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), All India Farmers Union (AIFU), All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), All India Kisan Mahasangh (AIKM) — have come on a common platform and announced a nationwide shut down on September 25.

Farmers’ organisations from southern states -Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra have also called for bandh on September 25. Meanwhile, Ola Cab Drivers’ association and lorry drivers’ association members in Karnataka have decided to support the farmers and will not operate on Friday.

Besides, ten Central trade unions, including National Trades Union Congress, All India Trade Union Congress, Hind Mazdoor Sabha, Centre of Indian Trade Unions, All India United Trade Union Centre and Trade Union Coordination Centre, have extended their support for Bharat Bandh on September 25.

Not only farmers’ organisations but also arhatiya (commission agent or a link between farmer and procurement agencies) of both Punjab and Haryana will join the protest.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), an NDA ally, on Tuesday announced to undertake “chakka jam” for three hours across Punjab on September 25 to protest against the farm bills passed by the Parliament.

Former Punjab Minister and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu would hold protests in his constituency Amritsar (East).

Many Punjabi singers including Harbhajan Mann have extended their support to the September 25 Punjab ‘’bandh’’.

According to BKU president Rakesh Tikait, over 100 farmers and arhtiya unions (small and big) will participate in the protests on September 25.

“Farmers in Uttar Pradesh will jam their respective villages, towns and highways whereas in Haryana it is planned to be completely closed. “We are also trying to involve local shopkeepers in the protests. We will come out with the final strategy by September 23-24,” he said.