The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), a front of farmer unions protesting against the contentious farm laws, has called for a complete Bharat Bandh on Friday.
Here are the 10 things you need to know about today's Bharat Bandh:
1. The SKM, in a statement, said that from 6 am to 6 pm, all road and rail transport, markets and other public places will be closed across the country on March 26 which marks the fourth month of the farmers' agitation along Delhi's three borders -- Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri.
2. Senior farmers' leader Balbir Singh Rajewal had said that trade unions from organised and unorganised sectors, and transport and other associations have extended their support for the 'Bharat Bandh' call. However, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), which claimed representation of eight crore traders in the country, said that markets will remain open as it is not participating in the 'Bharat Bandh'.
3. Rajewal said that the protesting farmers will block rail tracks in various places. All minor and big roads and trains will be blocked.
4. SKM leader Darshan Pal said that supplies of vegetables and milk will also be stopped by the protesting farmers.
5. The SKM said that all shops, malls, markets and institutions will remain closed under the complete Bharat Bandh. The effect of Bharat Bandh will be observed inside Delhi as well. The Odisha government on Thursday declared the closure of all educational institutions across the state in view of the Bandh.
6. However, emergency services like ambulance and fire will be allowed during the nationwide shutdown, it said.
7. The major impact of the 'Bharat Bandh' will be felt in Haryana and Punjab, said another farmer leader.
8. The SKM has appealed to people in the poll-bound states and Union Territory of Tamil Nadu, Assam, West Bengal, Kerala and Puducherry to not observe the Bandh.
9. Apart from repealing the three farm laws, the demands of the protesting union include cancellation of all police cases against farmers, withdrawal of electricity bill and pollution bill and reduction in prices of diesel, petrol and gas.
10.The SKM has also appealed to protesting farmers to be peaceful and not get involved in any kind of illegitimate debate and conflict during the 'bandh'.
So far, there have been 11 rounds of talks between the protesting unions and government, but deadlock continued as both sides stuck to their stand.
In January, the government had offered to suspend the farm laws for 12-18 months, which was rejected by the farmer unions.
(With inputs from PTI)