Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam on Saturday called for a Bharat bandh on Monday to protest over the rising petrol and diesel prices in the country, and especially in Maharashtra.
“Ever since the Modi government came to power, petrol and diesel prices have risen. And of all the States, fuel in Maharashtra is the costliest with petrol going at ₹89.93 and diesel at ₹77.03 per litre; and in the upcoming days, it might even touch ₹100. The average cost of a gas cylinder during the UPA government was ₹400, now it is ₹795. We need to call for a country-wide bandh so that the government can understand how much the common man is suffering,” Mr. Nirupam said.
Political support
The bandh has nothing to do with politics, and it is for the welfare of the people, he said. As many as 19 parties including the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Communist Party of India, People’s Republican Party, and Communist Party of India (Marxist) have extended support for this movement.
Various Dalit groups, taxi and auto unions, market association heads, banks and insurance companies, petrol pumps and trade unions like New Trade Union Initiative and Centre of Indian Trade Unions have also expressed their support.
“Talks with the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport undertaking are currently underway and some chemists have shown their support as well. This bandh does not apply to schools, colleges and hospitals but if anyone wants to join the cause, they are welcome to. We have also appealed to the Shiv Sena to extend their support. Over 36 major markets like the ones in Dadar, Fort and Kalbadevi have agreed to take part. We also plan to lead peaceful protests in these markets on Monday,” he said.
‘Reduce taxes’
The Congress has demanded that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government include petrol and diesel within the ambit of the Goods and Service Tax, instead of levying a number of taxes on the fuels, or at least reduce the taxes levied on it.
So far, the government has earned over ₹11 lakh crore through these taxes and reducing them will not affect the economy in any way, Mr. Nirupam said.
NCP member Nawab Malik expressed his party’s support to the bandh, and appealed to citizens to skip work on Monday.
“Please take out your anger on the rising prices by not going to work on Monday. Every office, market and company should be closed. We need to make sure the Modi government hears our voice and takes necessary action,” Mr. Malik said.
Inappropriate comments
Mr. Nirupam also hit out at BJP MLA Ram Kadam over his comments endorsing abduction of girls during a recent dahi handi event.
“Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has no shame. It has been four days since and no FIR has been lodged against Mr. Kadam. Since 2012, crimes against women have tripled in Mumbai. If Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigns for protecting and educating girls, why is he letting this slide? It is almost as if BJP is trying to protect Mr. Kadam,” he said.