Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike

Updated: May 31, 2012 07:44 IST

The Opposition led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Left parties are observing a nationwide bandh today in protest against the recent hike in petrol price - the steepest ever in recent times. The unprecedented increase - of nearly Rs. 7.50 including taxes - met with major political uproar and public anger.

Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
The main Opposition parties, the BJP and the Left, have called for a Bharat bandh today to protest last week's hike in petrol prices. The hike was the steepest ever at Rs. 6.28 plus local taxes, and the demand for a rollback has been universal.

Big UPA allies like the Trinamool and the DMK too have strongly protested, but both parties made it clear that they will not destabilise the central government.

This picture tweeted by Karthik Chowdary.A, shows a bus which was set on fire in Bangalore.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
There has been a mixed response so far to the Bharat bandh called by the BJP and the Left today to protest last week's hike in petrol prices.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
Protests, marches and road blocks were planned all across the country.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
Workers of the Samajwadi Party are seen blocking trains in Allahabad. The Samajwadi Party has called for a state-wide bandh today.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
SP workers, sitting on railway tracks in Allahabad, raised slogans against Congress president Sonia Gandhi and demanded roll back of petrol price hike.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
Saaket Express stopped at Allahabad station by SP workers.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
SP workers burned the effigy of the UPA government to protests against the petrol price hike in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
In Trinamool-Congress-ruled Kolkata, early morning saw fewer people on the road.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
There have been reports of several BEST buses in Mumbai being stoned, buses being set on fire and being stoned in Karnataka and trains have been stopped in UP's Allahabad, and places in Odisha and Jharkhand. I
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
In Kolkata, BJP workers tried to block the road to the airport at Baguihati. They also burnt rubber tyres. The police finally dispersed the crowd and one person was arrested.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
Public transport, though less in number, is running smoothly; no cancellation of flights in West Bengal state.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
Elaborate security arrangements for the bandh. The West Bengal state government had also issued a circular warning government employees against any leave on the bandh day.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
In Asanol (West Bengal), CPM protests against petrol prices by loading a motorcycle onto a bullock cart.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
As part of their agitation against the recent petrol price hike, BJP workers blocked traffic at many places across the national capital.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
The BJP, which rules the municipal corporations in Delhi, is also protesting against the introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) by the Congress-ruled state government. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had proposed to levy a five per cent VAT on CNG which will push the price of the fuel from Rs. 35.45 per kg to 37.20 per kg.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
This had led to several autorickshaw unions demanding a hike in fares in the capital city, also calling for a strike today, that coincides with the bandh.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
Places to avoid while travelling in Delhi today: Khanpur (BRT Chowk); Dwarka-Palam Flyover; Karol Bagh (Ajmal Khan Chowk); Shahdra (Maujpur Chowk); Rohini (Madhuban Chowk); Chandini Chowk (Lal Quila Chowk); Mangol Puri (Pathar Market); Defence Colony Chowk; Malviya Nagar Chowk; Shastri Park; Uttam Nagar Terminal; Sagarpur Chowk; Britannia Chowk; Ajmeri Gate chowk; Mathura Road and Badarpur T-Point.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
Office goers brace for a tough commute in Delhi as protestors block roads at Akshardham Chowk.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
JD(U) workers stage rail roko in Patna, trains in the area affected.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
Bandh impact in Mumbai: Extensive deployment of police; preventive detention ordered.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
In Satara, Maharashtra, Shiv Sena and BJP workers have stopped all buses from plying on the roads. They have also called for shops to close down.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
As part of their agitation against the recent petrol price hike, BJP workers blocked the National Highway 3 in Agra.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
Protests in Jammu.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
Karnataka CM Sadananda Gowda cycles in Bangalore in protest to petrol price hike. The picture was tweeted by Shreeharsha Perla.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
Bharat Bandh seems to be spontaneous as hardly any traffic was visible on otherwise highly crowded Dr. B. Baruah Road, Guwahati. This pic was tweeted by Manoj Anand.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
Another tweet pic from Arunram show vast empty roads.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
A picture tweeted by Rajeev Khare from Mumbai, shows crowd free railway platform.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
In Mumbai, sporadic incidents of violence have been reported from the suburbs of Andheri and Mulund.

Jayesh Nambiar tweeted this picture showing protests in the city.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
Fewer autorickshaws are plying on the roads and public transport is likely to be hit. Nearly 300 trader associations in the city will also keep markets shut to support the shutdown.

Benry Kikon tweeted this picture.
Bharat Bandh: Protests across India over petrol price hike
Mukunth Harish from Banglore tweeted this picture which shows traffic free roads.

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