Tharoor said he supports the right to protest, but not the right to disrupt. In a Facebook post on Thursday, Tharoor said it is ironic that today's "Bharat Bandh" is actually just another "Kerala Bandh."
Trade unions and workers across several states observed a nationwide strike on Thursday as part of the Bharat Bandh, protesting labour reforms and economic policies they allege are anti-worker. From road blockades and sit-ins to torch rallies and slogan-shouting demonstrations, protests were reported from cities including Chennai, Patna, Guwahati, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar and Bankura among others.
Rahul Gandhi extended support to the February 12 Bharat Bandh as Kerala witnessed a shutdown and multiple states reported disruptions over labour codes and trade policy concerns.
A 24-hour Bharat bandh begins at midnight on 12 February. Banks, transport and government offices may be affected, while essential services remain exempt.
A Bharat bandh has been called tomorrow as trade unions and farmers prepare for a nationwide strike on February 12 against labour laws, farm policies and privatisation.
"We reserve our stand on supporting or opposing any bandh generally called by political parties, but this time is different. The three laws will rob the farmers of their land and livelihood and allow corporate to take over the agriculture sector and the system will hit the common people..."
The Bandh once again brought to fore the fissures among the political parties over the issue.
In both Punjab and Haryana, national highways, state highways, link roads and railway tracks have been blocked, bringing road and rail traffic to a virtual halt.
Normal life continued as all schools, commercial establishments and public transport functioned as usual.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been monitoring the situation and also was in touch with the state governments.
