Nation-wide bandhs have always been the reliable arsenals for political parties in the country, although its over-usage has somehow robbed it from a desired level of mass endorsement. But Tuesday’s Bharat bandh called by the farmers is characteristically different from the ones usually seen. The telling feature of this all-India shutdown is its apolitical nature, despite the fact that around fifteen political parties from the opposition block have openly come in support. Its other unmissable features will be the duration which is just four hours and the call for making it completely non-violent, along with an honest clarification that it’s not intended to create problems for the common man. It’s still uncertain whether the Centre will finally accede to the demands of the farmers, but, for the constituents that form the opposition who have thus far remained beleaguered, it’s certainly a golden chance to come close and alive.

The callers of the bandh, even though fundamentally non-political have managed to deliver a masterstroke by restricting it to just 4 hours, where it’s the norm by political parties to go for a 12-hour or a full 24-hour one. The seemingly symbolic protest, at least theoretically, has all the elements to gather popular mass support and will stand out as a novel route of capturing people’s backing, much relevant in a wider political context. Whether the effort will be successful or not is a matter of conjecture, but, it has certainly caused discomfort to the ruling dispensation. The ‘only Punjab’ narrative has already been proved wrong as farmers from multiple states irrespective of the political colours of the respective governments have joined and if the trend is any indication, in near future, it will increase from strength to strength. The deadlock is showing no sign of coming to an immediate end as both the factions are in no mood of diluting their stands. The farmers are viewing it as something like ‘do or die’ and for the champions of the laws, it’s now an issue of prestige. As a whole, the bandh as a token protest as well as the rising protests, in combination, are going to exert substantial ramifications in the political equation and may also effect ‘cracks’ in the ranks. The NDA has already lost its once-dependent ally, the Shiromani Akali Dal and now its another companion, the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party has sounded the same intention over the issue.

The Congress is leading the opposition and for it as well as the opposition as a composite entity, the time is opportune to express and reach out to the people. Dividends may not be immediate, but will remain accumulated for future use.  

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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