Rahul Gandhi says bills will enslave farmers

Intensifying their protests against the contentious farm bills, several farmer bodies have called for a national shutdown or 'Bharat Bandh' on Friday, September 25. The nationwide protest or Bharat Bandh has been called by the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), All India Kisan Mahasangh (AIKM) and Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) against the farm bills. Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Union ministers' assurances, farmer bodies have expressed apprehension that the three bills, passed in Parliament, will pave a way for dismantling the minimum support price (MSP) system, leaving them at the "mercy" of big corporates.

In Punjab, where 31 farmer bodies have come together to support the call for Bharat Bandh, farmers have already started a three-day rail blockade against the farm bills. In view of the farmers' protests and the Bharat Bandh, Northern Railway has cancelled some trains. Stay tuned for all LIVE updates on the farmers' protest against the farm bills.