JAIPUR: The nationwide bandh called by protesting farmers and supported by the Congress government received a mixed response in the state on Tuesday.
All major markets in the state — Johari Bazaar, Bapu Bazaar and MI Road in Jaipur; Dargah Bazaar and Naya Bazaar in Ajmer, Suraj pole and Delhi Gate in Udaipur — were closed. The agri markets across the state too remained closed.
In Jaipur, the bandh in Walled City market area was led by transport minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, who drove a tractor to garner support.
The bandh has largely remained peaceful barring an incident of a minor clash between Congress and BJP workers over anti-Modi slogans in Jaipur. However, no police complaint was filed by either of the party. At some places protesters were at loggerheads with the shopkeepers and commuters when they were not complying with the bandh.
By evening, very few establishments started operations. Manu Dixit, who runs a steel workshop at Ajmer Road, didn’t open his establishment for the day. “The bandh call was for the 3 pm but I thought to avoid any confrontation with the farmers or political activists so called the operations off,” said Dixit, a resident at Durgapura.
Reports said that at least seven lakh trucks and over 2,800 RSRTC buses along with 200 JCTCL buses were off the roads in support Bharat bandh. Over 1,300 transport companies did not operate their trucks, Private operators, including cab owners, also supported the bandh.
Pappu Lal Prajapati, president, Fal Sabzi Vypar Sangh, Muhana Mandi in Jaipur, said that they had closed the state’s biggest mandi from 10am to 2pm to express their solidarity with the protesting farmers.
“The bandh has affected business of Rs 50 crore, but this is nothing compared to the cause we support. I hope that the government will listen to them and resolve the matter at the earliest,” he said. The mandi has over 1,000 shops.
BJP has called the bandh a failure despite the support of the ruling government while Congress claimed the move ‘historic.’