To Editor, TOI
Dear sir,
I beg to differ from Times view (25 August) that bandhs be banned.Nor do I think bandh be called at the drop of a hat as once Didi herself did.Bandh is a democratic tool of protest that should be used as a last resort.Fortunately, there're now fewer bandhs in our state.No political party except TMC would support the move to make bandhs illegal.However,I fully share your view regarding road blockade, rallies etc. in the city.
What's very interesting is once Didi called bandhs on flimsy grounds and now when in power she's campaigning for banning bandhs.It's still remembered how her supporters blocked a busy and very important high way like Durgapur Express Way for days together(15days) totally throwing traffic movement out of the gear during her Singur stir.It's also fresh in people's memory how her MLAs went on the rampage at Assembly house and ruthlessly broke furniture and other properties of the house.However,it's heartening that at last good sense has dawned on her
CM when in the opposition supervised the vandalisation of the assembly house just to show her undiluted love for democracy in action. Now after the adoption of neoliberal economic policy by the Govt of India, the general condition of the people deteriorated sharply affecting their livelihood. The simmering discontent in the people's mind get expression in the organised protest movements which sometime result in general strikes and ultimately bandhs. The unbearable crippling onslaught on the people as a result of unheard of price rise might result in protest movement which has the potential of gaining ferocity of volcanic proportion. To CM crippling price rise is no concern, her priority devolves round issues like changing the name of the state, ultimately coming to a ridiculous and farcical conclusion. Now strikes and bandhs are required to be banned by the capitalists to ensure their unbridled exploitation. CM represents the interests of that class of the society though she managed to come to power with the mandate of the electorate thanks to the coordinated well organised opinion building by the media of all sorts and apparently all hues though they are orchestrated by a superior force. People has the right to protest and they cannot abdicate their weapon of protest come what may. In Europe, Middle East America and different parts of the globe that weapon of general strikes are liberally used to press their demands. The protest against the anti people neoliberal is gaining momentum in the world arena. So a crony like the leader in the Writes' building cannot reverse the tide.
ReplyDelete