Bharat Bandh 2024: Potential impact on Board exams schedules, CBSE suggests metros over roadways

As the Farmers’ Protest enters the third day, the central trade unions and SKM have called ‘Bharat Bandh’ tomorrow February 16. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has started conducting annual board examinations of classes 10th and 12th, creating confusion among students if the protest can hinder the school schedule.

As of now, workers and farmers are organizing a joint strike called the ‘sectoral industrial strike’ and ‘Grameen Bharat Bandh.’ Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), a farmers’ group, is urging all similar farmer organizations to unite for the protest. It will take place from 6 AM to 4 PM.

As per the Indian Express report, farmers will stage large road blockades from 12 PM to 4 PM nationwide. In Punjab, many state and national highways will be shut for four hours on Friday.

Education Boards on Bharat Bandh

Undertaking the possible traffic issues due to political turbulence in North Indian states CBSE has urged students appearing for exams to travel via metros and prevent using roadways to reach their allotted examination centres. The state government has not issued any change in schedule for schools as CBSE, ICSE and BSEB have already started conducting the exams.

What will be closed on Bharat Bandh 2024?

Media reports state that on Friday, various private and government offices along with village shops could shut down. Transportation, agricultural activities, and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) projects may also halt. The status of the government-appointed panel on MSP formed after the 2021 farmers’ protest remains uncertain.