Nationwide Bharat Bandh against the petrol price hike
The national opposition parties BJP and CPM joined together and called for a nationwide Bharat Bandh today (31 May, 2012) against the huge hike in the petrol prices.
Nationwide protests, march and roadblocks are expected but how far it will be successful is still a question in everyone’s mind. As part of the protests, the auto rickshaw drivers and small traders announced their support to the protesters. Auto rickshaws will not be running today and small shops and markets will be closed throughout the day. The strike will definitely affect the transportation facilities, educational institutions, government offices, availability of milk, etc..
Possibly the strike may affect the BJP and CPM led states since they are organising the Bandh. Comparatively they are ruling in very few states in India. In Karnataka, especially in Mysore and Bangalore, Bandh is not affected much. Today morning one of my friends travelled from Mysore to Bangalore and informed me that there is no trouble on the route and it is smooth like any other day.
Whether the Bharat Bandh affect the normal life or not, the petrol price hike definitely pinching every human being in India. The central government should do something to control the petrol prices since fuel is one of the essential commodities.
Update : May 31, 2012, 5:42 am
Kerala is exempted from the Bharat Bandh since there was a bandh very recently for the same.
Update : June 1, 2012, 9:24 am
Following the nationwide Bharat Bandh, the state owned oil companies have decided to reduce the petrol price by Rs. 1.60/- This decision will be a great relief to the petrol consumers.
