How Bharat Bandh is impacting life in Kerala, Bengal & other states

New Delhi: The 48-hour Bharat Bandh called by several trade unions across the country against government policies started today but saw muted response, leaving aside few incidents of train blockade.

The two-day nationwide strike was called by forum of trade unions spread across many sectors including banking & insurance, transport, telecom, railways & power services.

The bandh call found resonance in states like Kerala and Bengal and to some extent in Delhi.

Bengal

1) Despite Didi’s warning against Bandh call, Bengal saw violent protests & demonstrations. At some places, protestors blocked the train tracks. In couple of videos on social media, they could be seen squatting on rail tracks thus blocking its movement.

West Bengal | Members from the Left Front gather in huge numbers & block railway tracks at Jadavpur Railway Station in Kolkata, in view of the 2-day nationwide strike called by different trade unions. pic.twitter.com/WnWUTJHKNo

— ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2022

In Bengal, Mamata dispensation had warned the Unions against taking part in bandh and warned of punishment in form of pay cut for the day. Issuing a clear warning, Bengal CM had said that if employees go on strike, they will have do away with the remuneration for the day and their absence from duty will be seen as a break in service. All govt offices including schools, urban & rural civic bodies were told to stay during the stipulated two-day period.

Andhra Pradesh | Members of various trade unions and Left organizations hold a protest demonstration against policies of the central government including privatization of PSU banks at Vijayawada pic.twitter.com/GpDrQj6AB0

— ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2022

Kerala

2) In the left-ruled Kerala, all government offices will remain closed for the entire day. Many cities wore a deserted look as workers showed solidarity with the Bharat bandh call.

The call for two-day strike was made across various sectors, however, most are reported be functioning normally. Banking services have been affected to some extent.

3) As employees of public sector banks, co-operative & regional rural banks were expected to participate in strike against Centre’s proposal to privatize a couple of banks, the banking services are likely to be hit over two days.

Delhi | All India Bank Employees Association have called for an all-India bank strike today & tomorrow, to protest against the government’s plan to privatise public sector banks pic.twitter.com/ovLNAq9UYI

— ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2022

SBI, the country’s largest lender and other banks have already said that their services may get impacted.