Bandh

For other uses, seeBandh (disambiguation).

A bandh organized by theGaro National CouncilinGoalpara,2013

A bandh in Nepal, organized protest against a rise in fuel prices

Bandh(Devanagari:बंद) (literally: shutting down) is a form of protest used by political activists inSouth Asiancountries such asIndiaandNepal.It is similar to ageneral strike.During a bandh, a political party or a community declare ageneral strike.For example, aBharatbandhis a call for a bandh across India, and a bandh can also be called for an individual state or municipality.

The community or political party declaring a bandh expects the general public to stay at home and not report for work. Shopkeepers are expected to keep their shops closed, and public transport operators are expected to stay off the road. There have been instances when large cities have been brought to a standstill.A bandh is a form ofcivil disobedience.

Ban

TheSupreme Court of Indiabanned bandhs in 1998,but political parties still organize them. In 2004, the Supreme Court of India fined two political parties,Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) andShiv Sena,for organizing a bandh inMumbaias a protest against bomb blasts in the city.Supreme Court permits only voluntary closure of establishments during bandhs.

Notable bandhs

Bandhs are often byopposition parties.TheNational Democratic Alliance(NDA) and 13 parties not belonging to theUnited Progressive Allianceparties called for a nationwide bandh on 5 July 2010, to protest a fuel price hike. The bandh prevented Indians from carrying out day-to-day tasks, especially in states that were ruled by the NDA and the Left.InNepal,calls for bandhs have increased due to political instability.

On 20 September 2012, the BJP and other parties called for a nationwide bandh in response to economic reforms undertaken by Prime MinisterManmohan Singhand his finance ministerPalaniappan Chidambaram.Chief among their grievances were the cut insubsidiesfordieseland cooking gas and the decision to allowforeign investorsto own majority stakes in theretailsector, includingsupermarketsanddepartment stores.

On 3 January 2018,Prakash Ambedkarcalled for a bandh in response toan attackonBuddhists,as well as someHindudalitandSikhpeople by supporters of theHindutvaideology atKoregaon BhimainPune district,Maharashtra,and the lack of police action against the culprits. More than 50 percent of Maharashtra's population supported or participated in the bandh.

See also

• Gherao
• Hartal
• Dharna
• Raasta roko
• Rail roko
• Strike action
• Political activism in Kerala

Further reading

• Johari, J. C. (1982).Comparative Politics.Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi.ISBN8120704681.Chapter 20:Techniques of Pressure Politics.pp. 393–410.