Jammu to Kerela: How Bharat Bandh fared up in different states

NewDelhi:The Bharat Bandh called to oppose the much touted demonetization turned out to be a damp squib in major parts of India. The bandh created minor inconvenience in some places in non BJP ruled states. It is to be noted that the opposition parties are hand in gloves to oppose the demonetization and opting different ways to protest in different states.

Cold response to‘Bharat Bandh’ in Jammu

Life continued normally in Jammu as the ‘Bharat Bandh’ call by the opposition parties against demonetisation received a cold response. Business establishments remained functional and vehicles plied normally on roads as Jammu defied the ‘Bharat Bandh’ call in support of the November 8 demonetisation decision of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. ''No question of bandh arises and why should it,’’ Rakesh Gupta, president Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Jammu here told UNI. ‘’Traders of Jammu are with the Prime Minister as his decision has tightened noose against the black money and by this step, I am sure, the industrial sector in Jammu and Kashmir will also be benefitted,’’ said Mr Gupta.

He said that in the history of Indian Independence, this is a daring step against the corruption, black money and definitely will bear fruit. ‘’Those opposing it, the reasons are better known to them as it is only a section of people or the class, who are against the decision but the nation is supporting it, which clears the picture,’’ the Chamber head added. Meanwhile, the markets and bazaars, which used to open at around 1000 hrs in Jammu, this morning specially started the activity early morning from 0700 hours to support demonetisation.

‘’We welcome the step and stand by the decision of our Prime Minister. At least he dared to take a bold step, which will in days to come, will be in the interest of a common man and obviously the country,’’ Vijyant Kumar, a shopkeeper added. However, Opposition parties, including Congress, Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party and National Conference, held protests against demonetisation at some locations.

Cold response to Bharat Bandh in UP

The Left parties sponsored Bharat Bandh to protest against demonetisation move of the Centre today, failed to evoke any response in Uttar Pradesh. Vehicular traffic on the roads were normal and shops and business establishment functioned normally. However, the Left party workers brought out a procession to show their resentment over the Centre's decision. No major political parties in UP have supported the strike leading to its failure.

However, UP Congress has organised a march in Lucknow and other parts of the state today while holding ' Jan Akrosh Diwas' to protest against the ban of the higher currencies. Aam Admi Party(AAP) is also holding a protest and public interaction programme in the state capital today to oppose the move. Meanwhile, a report from Allahabad said that train services were disrupted for some time when the supporters of the ruling Samajwadi Party blocked the rail track near Baghambari in the city.

However, on police intervention by the police, the blockade was lifted. Tomorrow, All India Trinamool Congress president and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would be present in Lucknow to address a protest meeting against demonetization.

Bharat Bandh: Damp squib in Bihar

The Left sponsored dawn to dusk 'Bharat Bandh' to protest demonetisation proved to be a damp squib in Bihar today as normal life remained unaffected across the state. Though the Left parties spearheaded by CPI(ML) blocked movement of trains at a few places in areas of their influence, schools, colleges and offices functioned normally.

The bandh called by the Leftists had lost its sheen after Lalu Prasad led RJD and Congress decided not to lend support and instead staged protest against hardships faced by the people in general and farmers in the aftermath of demonetisation of high value notes. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar led JD(U) had at the very outset supported demonetisation and declared that it would not be part of the nationwide shut down today.

Hundreds of CPI(ML) workers staged protest march in Patna and blocked the movement of traffic near Dak Bunglow crossing for half an hour early in the morning. Party workers were taken into custody for staging protest march in the prohibited area.

Rail Roko affects life in Kerala andTripura

Political battle against the demonetisation, being fought by an unrelenting opposition in Parliament since onset of the winter session a fortnight back, today spilled on to streets with protesters from various non-NDA parties observing nationwide ‘aakrosh diwas’ to protest the Narendra Modi led NDA Government’s move. While most of the parties, including Congress, All India Trinamool Congress(AITC), Samajwadi Party (SP), Rashtriya Janta Dal(RJD), NCP and AAP, held demonstrations and protest marches in different states, the Left parties and their allied outfits gave call for a bandh. In a counter move the BJP organised “Jan Aabhar Divas” in Nagpur to express gratitude to Prime Minister Mr Modi for taking the initiative with motive to eradicated black money.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and senior leaders of different parties led the Members of Parliament in demonstration before the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament premises, CPI(M) Chief Sitaram Yechury led the Leftists organised protest rally from the Mandi House to the Jantar Mantar in the national capital here. AITC Supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who opposed the Left parties move of a bandh call, led well attended protest rally of her party in Kolkata. The Bandh observed by Left parties and allied outfits evoked good response in Ketala and Tripura, the states ruled by these parties. The ‘rail roko’ by the protesters of Left parties affected rail traffic in Bihar where more than a dozen of long distance trains were stopped at various places including Patna, Bhagalpur, Jehanabad, Gaya and Muzzafarpur.

However, the dawn to dusk 'Bharat Bandh' called by these parties proved to be a damp squib in the state as normal life remained unaffected, a report from Patna said. The stir also impacted life in Odisha as BJD-led state government has ordered closure of schools and colleges for the day. Protests march and demonstration were also held in Tamil Nadu, Leaders of the Opposition parties, including DMK Treasurer M K Stalin, TNCC President Su Thirunavukkarasar, CPI Secretary R Mutharasan and CPI-M State Secretary G Ramakrishnan, were arrested for staging protest demonstrations, a report from Chennai said. Another report from Kolkata, quoting official sources said that, 12-hour bandh called by the Left Parties began this morning but the life in the state capital and other towns was by and large normal.

The ruling AITC has opposed the Leftists’ bandh call but it is the part of the opposition’s nationwide protests, a party spokesman said in New Delhi. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has already clarified that there was no idea of a bandh at the meeting of the opposition leaders that had decided to hold nationwide Aakrosh Divas on November 28, the spokesman said. However, the bandh call has affected life in Leftists-ruled Kerala as Thiruvananthapuram the state capital and some other towns observed hartal.

Samajwadi party workers held protests in Allahabad and other towns of Uttar Pradesh. Congress and AAP held separate protests in Lucknow and other parts of the state. Meanwhile, in a bid to dispel the impression of a difference of stance among the opposition parties, the senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad also clarified that “ We have not called for Bharat Bandh , as it causes inconvenience to people, we called for Jan Akrosh divas”. Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agarwal asserted “All the opposition is united, except for JDU which is maintaining a dual stand”. (UNI)