Insta
Politics Of Protest: What’s Ironical About The Strike Called For In Bengal On Monday
A CPI (M) protest in Kolkata (DESHAKALYAN CHOWDHURY/AFP/Getty Images)
How does the left, which has lost its relevance in almost all parts of the world, protest the alleged harassment faced by people over demonetisation?
Call for a shutdown that will cause more harassment and loss of earnings for the very same people whose interests it professes to protect.
Thus, a motley group of 18 left and other parties - the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, Forward Bloc, Revolutionary Socialist Party, Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal and Nationalist Congress Party - which barely have any presence in the state have called for the 12-hour general strike in Bengal on Monday (28 November) to "protest the harassment faced by people following the central government's demonetisation drive".
This general strike, coupled with the 'Akrosh Divas' that Mamata Banerjee and her party members would observe on Monday through protest rallies and street processions, will surely bring Bengal to a standstill. And therein lies the supreme irony of these political parties causing more harassment and inconvenience to the common people who have, by and large, backed the demonetisation drive.
The political parties have, however, chosen the day very carefully. 26 November (Saturday) is the fourth Saturday of the month and, therefore, a holiday for employees in state and central government offices and undertakings.
Sunday is a holiday for all, and with the shutdown on Monday, it will be an extended weekend for the army of the state and central employees.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest
