Journalism of Courage
The Congress had called for a Bharat bandh on Monday to protest against rising fuel prices as well as the fall in the value of the Rupee in comparison to the US Dollar. (Express photo by Anil Sharma)
The BJP on Monday said the Bharat bandh call given by the Congress was an attempt to spread rumour and confusion among the masses and said people will "puncture the grand alliance balloon" floated by the main opposition party, reported PTI. (Express photo by Partha Paul)
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh in his address at Rajghat asked the Opposition to stay united in issues such as fuel price hike and inflation. "Modi government has done a number of things that were not in the interest of the nation. The time to change this government will come soon. Political parties should let go of their old issue and unite in the interest of the country," he said. (Express photo by Anil Sharma)
Additional police personnel has been deployed throughout Kolkata to ensure that there was no disruption or violence in connection with the bandh call. (Express photo by Partha Paul)
Protesters in Gujarat's Bharuch burn tyres and stop buses; traffic movement halted. (Source: ANI)
The bus allegedly stoned by MNS supporters in Pune during Bharat Bandh. (Express photo)
Congress workers stage 'Rail Roko' at Andheri railway station against fuel price hike. (Source: ANI)
While other Opposition parties like DMK, NCP, RJD, JD(S), have extended their support, the Congress has also asked civil society groups and NGOs to join the nationwide protest.
The bandh was observed across the country on September 10, between 9 am and 3 pm. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)
Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders, staged a march from Rajghat to Ramlila Maidan. Sources suggest UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi also joined the protest.
The Bharat Bandh was observed in several states like Maharashtra, Bihar Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, where regional opposition parties have come in support of the bandh call. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)
Kolkata government issued a circular asking all government employees to attend office on Monday. Traders were also asked to keep their establishments open on Monday and assured of all possible protective measures. (Express photo by Partha Paul)
In Mumbai, the shutdown had not affected vehicular movement in the beginning. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)
Police near railway station in Kerala's Kozhikode were seen asking commuters in private cars to pool in and drop others who are heading the same way. Police buses were also being used to ferry those stranded. (Express photo by Vishnu Varma)
In Kolkata, the shutdown had not affected normal life. While the ruling TMC has expressed support to the issues of the bandh call, it would not enforce a shutdown in West Bengal.
Ahead of Bharat Bandh in Mumbai on Monday, senior Congress workers led by party president Ashok Chavan staged a rail roko at Andheri station. Trains were also stopped at Chembur station on the harbour line of the Central Railway. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)
Security was heightened in Maharashtra in the wake of the bandh call. Extra deployment of forces has been done across the city. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)
