The
Bharat bandh called by opposition parties against rising petrol and diesel prices generated mixed response, with maximum impact witnessed in Bihar and Karnataka. While some incidents of disruption were reported from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh, there was virtually no impact of the shutdown in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
Police in several states carried out preventive detention, with 9,500 people in a temporary jail in Jharkhand, followed by Gujarat (1,000), MP (200), Maharashtra (100) and WB (99).
In Bihar's Jehanabad district, a 2-year-old girl died in an ambulance, triggering a political slugfest between the
BJP and RJD. Senior BJP leader
Ravi Shankar Prasad alleged the ambulance was delayed because of the bandh, a claim refuted by opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav. In Patna, roads remained deserted after protestors led by suspended RJD MP Pappu Yadav vandalised several vehicles around 8 am, following which police lathi-charged the crowd. Train services and traffic were severely impacted.
Karnataka observed a complete shutdown with majority of establishments downing their shutters in Bengaluru. In Mangaluru and Udupi districts, there were sporadic clashes between
Congress and BJP workers. Police had to resort to lathicharge to disperse the crowd in Udupi town. In Kerala, the strike was peaceful except for an assault on Shahida Kamal, member of Kerala Women's Commission at Kollam.
In Bhopal, the shutdown was a success with 90% shops and businesses remaining shut during the day. In Maharashtra, where the bandh was supported by Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, many petrol pumps remained shut leading to fuel supply crisis. In Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Mizoram, the shutdown failed to generate much support.
