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.
In Kerala, the biggest advantage is any political party calling a state-wide protest gets a thumps up from the civil society and people remain indoors
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi asks farmers to raise their voices in a peaceful manner.
A senior police official said that they have beefed up security close to all the three border points -- Tikri, Singhu, and Shambhu -- where farmers have been protesting for the past 10 months.
Heavy police presence could be seen at various places in Haryana and Punjab to maintain law and others in view of the protest by farmers, who are demanding the scrapping of three Central farm laws.
Giving this information on Sunday, a Haryana Police spokesman informed that elaborate arrangements have been put in place by the civil and police administration in Haryana according to directions of the state government.
