Times of India of Oct 02,
07 discusses on its editorial page, the matter regarding the recent bandh call given by Tamilnadu Govt. The Supreme Court had upheld the Kerala High Court order of 1998, which had declared bandhs as illegal. We may use different words, but the basic parameters being same, these are banned. There is no right to go in for bandh or hartal. But right to strike work is there, without disturbing the public order. In democracies, Bandhs etc. are powerful, and hence should be used sparingly, and with certain proper
objectives. Mahatma Gandhi used it at that time, as a method of protesting voluntarily, in a non-violent manner, for a bigger cause. In independent India, things have changed over the period of time. Firstly it is not
voluntary and secondly it is enforced strictly by fear. These may be relevant, if used where there is autocracy. Democracy has strong roots in India. Why should a ruling political party call for bandh, when they are themselves in power? Against whom, are those protests directed. The intervention of the Supreme Court may help in such a situation.