Farmers hold nationwide protest, demand revocation of farm bills

Farmers' organisations are holding a nationwide demonstration on Friday against the three contentious farm legislations that were passed by Parliament earlier this week. In pic: Farmers block the Lehragaga-Sangrur highway in Punjab.

At least 31 organisations, under the banner of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), are participating in the agitation. They have called for a complete shutdown of Punjab. In pic: Bharti Kisan Union (Dakaunda) state general secretary Jagmohan Singh Patiala addresses farmers at the Bhawanigarh-Sangrur highway.

Farmers have said the three Bills -- The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 -- would leave them at a disadvantage and at the "mercy" of big corporates. In pic: Farmers protest in Faridkot on Friday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tried to assure farmers that they will benefit from the changes. In pic: Farmers at the NH1 Toll plaza in Ludhiana's Ladowal. (Express Photo: Gurmeet Singh)

In Punjab, the ruling Congress and the AAP have extended support to the farmers. The Shiromani Akali Dal, which has been holding protests as well, announced it would block roads. In pic: A protest at Shaheed Chowk, Barnala.

Security has been heightened in Punjab and Haryana. In pic: Police barricades at NH1 Toll plaza at Ladowal. (Express Photo: Gurmeet Singh)

Farmers are demanding the three Bills be revoked. In pic: In Barnala, a book seller, jeweller and garment shop owner come out in support of farmers.

Farmers' trucks block the Ludhiana-Jalandhar NH1 in Ludhiana. (Express Photo: Gurmeet Singh)

Roads are blocked in Haryana, during the nationwide bandh.

Farmers block a road by parking their tractors on the Rohtak-Chandigarh national highway near Brahaman Bass village in Rohtak district of Haryana.(Express Photo: Manoj Dhaka)

Davinder Singh Nagi, a teacher, makes posters for farmers at NH1 in Ludhiana. (Express Photo: Gurmeet Singh)