Bharat Bandh Live updates: No role of government in fuel price hike, says Ravi Shankar Prasad

Violence was reported in several places across the country on Monday during the Congress-led protest against the spiralling fuel prices as workers of opposition parties halted trains in Assam and Mumbai and vandalised public property in Maharashtra.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the issue as his party led the nation-wide shutdown to protest the hike.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party said the Bharat Bandh was not successful and condemned the violence reported in several states during the shutdown. It also said the Bharat Bandh was an attempt to spread rumour and confusion among peoples.

Congress and 21 other opposition parties are enforcing the ‘Bharat Bandh’ across the country to protest the steep rise in the price of petrol and diesel, causing hardships to the common man and the poor. While Karnataka and Odisha governments declared a holiday owing to the bandh, the Trinamool Congress-led West Bengal government said there would be rallies without a strike.

Here are the live updates:

3:00 pm: Normal life affected in Puducherry, stones hurled at two buses 

Normal life in Puducherry was affected with many people stranded at bus stands as public vehicles remained off roads, while stones were thrown a Tamil Nadu government-owned express bus and a private college vehicle. All private inter-state and intra-state buses remained off roads. Retail petrol and diesel outlets, all shops and commercial establishments remained closed in the Union territory while police personnel were deployed in strength at various points.

2:43 pm: Little response to bandh in Punjab, Haryana, HP 

The call for ‘Bharat bandh’ evoked little response in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana with most shopkeepers and private players continuing with business as usual. In Chandigarh, some parts of Sector 27, 28 and 30 markets remained closed while the rest of the city was open.

2:10 pm IST 300 detained Congress workers detained in Gujarat 

Congress’ Bharat bandh evoked a mixed response in Gujarat with the party calling the shutdown successful while the police claimed it had no major impact. Police said that over 300 Congress functionaries were detained across the state, including state party chief Amit Chavda and Gujarat party in-charge Rajiv Satav from Lal Darwaja area in Ahmedabad.

1:56 pm: Bandh evokes poor response in Lucknow

All shops are open in Hazratganj market. ‘Bharat bandh’ evokes poor response in Lucknow as almost all prominent markets are open in the state capital.

1:45 pm: Congress activists protest across Punjab 

Congress leaders and workers held protests across Punjab on Monday following the Bharat Bandh call given by the Congress party against the rising fuel prices. The protests were held in Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala, Bathinda, Ferozepur and other towns across Punjab.

1:30 pm: No impact of bandh in Congress-ruled Mizoram

Shops, offices and educational institutions were open in Congress-ruled Mizoram on Monday as there was no impact of the ‘Bharat Bandh’ anywhere in the state, officials said. Neither the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) nor the opposition parties joined the nation-wide bandh called by the Congress and supported by 21 political parties protesting against the unprecedented rise in fuel prices.

1:03 pm: Death of child not related to bandh: SDO Jehanabad 

The death of the child is not related to bandh or traffic jam, the relatives had left late from their home: SDO Jehanabad Paritosh Kumar on reports that a 2-year-old patient had died after the vehicle was stuck in ‘Bharat Bandh’ protests, reports ANI.

12:50 pm:  No role of government in fuel hike: BJP 

We condemn the bandh... Congress is resorting to fear-mongering,” says Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad at a press conference. 

“People know the truth... no role of government in fuel hike,” he says. “Onus on states to reduce tax” 

“Everyone has a right to protest but what is happening today? Petrol pumps and buses being set ablaze, putting to risk lives. A child died after an ambulance was stuck in the protests in Bihar’s Jehanabad. Who is responsible?”: Ravi Shankar Prasad, reports ANI.

12:36 pm: Massive demonstration by Congress in UP’s Unnao 

Massive demonstration by Congress workers in Unnao. Hundreds of party workers court arrested including former MP Annu Tandon

12:26 pm: Train services affected in Assam 

Nine trains had to be halted and were delayed by 20 to 80 minutes in Assam as protesters obstructed trains. According to the Northeast Frontier Railways, picketers obstructed trains at various places in Lumding and Tinsukia division. Protesters blocked movement of trains at Silchar, Digboi and between Nakachari and Mariani. “These blockades were lifted later and train services resumed,” said a NF Railways release.

12:21 pm: Oppn workers stage protests in Andhra Pradesh, held 

Scores of opposition workers were taken into custody across Andhra Pradesh as they staged protests as part of the ‘Bharat Bandh’. As a precautionary measure, the State Road Transport Corporation suspended some of its services in various districts. The protesters staged a sit-in in front of RTC depots to prevent movement of buses Police then took them into custody.

12:18 pm: Lukewarm response in West Bengal 

The bandh evoked lukewarm response in West Bengal with vehicular traffic remaining near normal. The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) had previously opposed the strike and said the state government would take every possible step to ensure that the public life remains unaffected. In Kolkata, most of the shops and markets remained open while the city’s metro service functioned normally.

12:10 pm: MNS, Congress and NCP block traffic in Thane 

MNS, Congress and NCP have block traffic at Teen Hath Naka along Eastern Express Highway in Thane. There is traffic congestion from Nitin Company Junction to Teen Hath Naka junction on Eastern Express Highway in Thane. MNS also tried to force auto rickshaws to stay off roads. A total of 14 BEST buses on various routes have been vandalised in different parts of Mumbai since morning.

12:04 pm: Congress and BJP workers clash in Udupi 

Police indulged in mild lathi charge to control workers of Congress and BJP who clashed in Udupi in Karnataka over the bandh. BJP alleged the Congress was trying to forcibly close commercial establishments.Prabhakar Poojary, district BJP President was injured in the clash.

11:59 am: Govt can even say inflation will bring development: Akhilesh Yadav

11:56 am: AAP joins protest 

Delhi’s ruling Aam Admi Party, which till yesterday had distanced itself from the Bharat Bandh called by the Congress, joined the opposition parties to protest against rising fuel prices. Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh along with party leaders shared the dais with Congress president Rahul Gandhi, former PM Manmohan Singh and leaders of other opposition parties at the Ramlila Grounds.

11:52 am: What else can be expected from ‘frustrated’ opposition: Yogi Adityanath 

Frustrated opposition doesn’t have any strategy and leadership, what else can be expected from them? I hope God gives them sense so they can differentiate between positive and negative otherwise in future they will even lose their position as Opposition: UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath

11:40 am: PM Modi has not spoken a word on rising prices of fuel: Rahul Gandhi 

“Narendra Modi ji is silent, he has not spoken a word on rising prices of fuel, or condition of farmers, neither on atrocities against women” says Rahul Gandhi, reports ANI.

11:33 am: 58 Congress workers taken into custody in Jharkhand 

Altogether 58 Congress activists were taken into police custody in Jharkhand for forcibly trying to enforce the ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by the party, a police officer said. 

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Left parties in Jharkhand are supporting the Congress-sponsored ‘Bharat bandh called against fuel price hike.

11:30 am: ‘Bharat Bandh’ an attempt to spread rumour, confusion: BJP 

The BJP dubbed the ‘Bharat Bandh’ call as an attempt to spread rumour and confusion among the masses. 

Union minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi took on the Congress, saying it has been a “history-sheeter” on the issue of price rise whenever it was in power and is now shedding crocodile tears.

11:21 am: Opposition parties take out protest march across UP 

Samajwadi Party workers staged demonstration in Varanasi. In Meerut, Congress leaders and workers are protesting outside office of



divisional commissioner’s office. 

In Firozabad district congressmen on roads, Congress workers are taking out protest, supported by Samajwadi party and RLD workers. 

Congressmen are urging shopkeepers to close down shops in Agra markets. 

Samajwadi party workers are staging protest at Agra Sadar tehsil

11:17 am: Major transport associations supporting bandh in Karnataka: Congress

Karnataka Congress said several autorickshaw unions and airport taxi owners’ associations are also supporting the bandh.

11:13 am: Congress workers vandalise petrol pump in Ujjain 

Congress workers vandalise a petrol pump in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain.

11:04 am: MNS workers force shopkeepers to shut shops in Parel 

MNS workers forcefully shutdown shops and establishments at Bharatmata Junction Naka, Parel in Mumbai.

10:54 am: Bandh evokes partial response in Telangana, Andhra 

The shutdown evoked partial response in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. 

Bus services were affected since early morning in both the states. Many private educational institutions also remained closed.

10:49 am: Heavy police deployed in Delhi 

Offices, schools and colleges in Delhi opened at regular time despite the bandh call. 

Heavy police deployment was made in the national capital with reserve police forces deployed and motorcycle patrols being put on high alert, a senior police officer said. 

Traffic was affected in Daryaganj and around Ramlila Maidan due to the protest and commuters faced problems in reaching their destinations as the cab companies had hiked their fares.

10.44 am: Time to change BJP govt will come soon: Manmohan Singh 

Modi government has done a number of things that were not in the interest of the nation. The time to change this government will come soon: Former prime minister Manmohan Singh.

10:39 am: Vehicles vandalised in Patna 

Jan Adhikar Party workers vandalise vehicles in Patna.

10:30 am: MNS tries to disrupt metro rail services at D N Road station 

Police take MNS workers into custody for trying to disrupt Metro rail services at D N Road station.

10:25 am: Ashok Chavan, Manikrao Thakre detained 

Congress leaders Ashok Chavan, Manikrao Thakre have been detained and taken to DN Nagar police station.

10:25 am: MNS workers detained in Dadar, Star Mall closed 

Police detain MNS workers who tried to agitate outside Sena Bhavan in Dadar. Leaders including Sandeep Deshpande and Rita Gupta taken into custody. The Star Mall in Dadar is closed for the day.

10:20 am: 12 trains cancelled 

East Coast Railway Zone has cancelled 12 trains including Bhubaneswar-Howrah Jan Shatabdi Express and Bhubaneswar-Visakhapatnam Inter City Express.

10:12 am: Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh join Congress protest 

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh join Congress-led bandh protest against fuel price hike.

10:09 am: Local train services resume from Andheri station 

Local train services resume from Andheri railway station : Gajanan Mahatpurkar, PRO, Western Railway. Train services are fully functional on Central Railway line.

10:03 am: Few petrol pumps shut in Mumbai 

Petrol pump operators alleged that political party activists especially MNS are targeting random petrol pump stations and forcing them to be shut. Few petrol pump have been closed at Chembur, Sahar in Mumbai.

9:50 am: Local train services from Andheri station affected 

Former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan along with 1000 Congress activists protesting at Andheri station. GRP control room has confirmed that protesters have stopped Borivali-bound slow local train. 

Local trains from Andheri station are not operational as protestors have blocked platform number three and four.

9:49 am: Congress workers protest in Raipur 

Congress workers protest against fuel price hike in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur.

9:43 am: NCP chief Sharad Pawar, LJD’s Sharad Yadav join protest 

Congress president Rahul Gandhi joined by NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Loktantrik Janata Dal’s Sharad Yadav to protest against fuel hike. 

9:33 am: MNS workers bring donkey to protest at petrol pump 

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers at Chembur brought a donkey, garlanded it with picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and protested at petrol pump.

9:13 am: Rajasthan Police to keep strict vigil in Jaipur, Jodhpur 

Rajasthan Police asks district superintendents of police and police commissioners in Jaipur and Jodhpur to keep strict vigil. Special director general of police NRK Reddy said as part of precautionary measure, four companies of Rajasthan Armed Constabulary (RAC) have been deployed in Jaipur, one each in Baran and Bharatpur and one small platoon Ajmer have also deployed. 

9:10 am: Congress workers protest in Arunachal Pradesh 

Arunachal Pradesh Mahilla Congress takes part in Bharat Bandh.

9:05 am: Congress president Rahul Gandhi marches towards Ramlila ground

Delhi: Congress President Rahul Gandhi and opposition party leaders march from Rajghat towards Ramlila Maidan, to protest against fuel price hike. #BharatBandh

9:02 am: Bandh paralyses normal life in Assam, several detained 

Tens of people have been detained in Assam from multiple districts after they tried to block roads and highways to enforce the Bharat Bandh, a senior police official said. “There have been no reports of any violence so far,”said Director General of Police Kuladhar Saikia. 

However, the Bandh has paralysed normal life as buses and taxis kept off the roads. 

In Guwahati, Pradesh Congress Committee Chief Ripun Bora and senior leader and former chief minister of Uttarakhand Harish Rawat are expected to march to Dispur, the secretariat to request employees to not attend work.

8:59 am: Bandh supporters block railway track in Patna 

Jan Adhikar Party Loktantrik workers block railway tracks in Patna’s Rajendra Nagar Terminal railway station.

8:55 am: Bandh cripples Kerala, supporters exempt flood-affected areas 

Bandh supporters blocked vehicles and forced closure of shops and business establishments at many places in Kerala. All educational institution remained closed in the state. But rail and air services were not affected. Three major IT parks of the state are functioning normally. Bandh supporters have exempted flood-affected areas from the strike.

8.50 am: Protesters burn tyres, stop buses in Gujarat’s Bharuch 

Traffic movement halted in Gujarat’s Bharuch as protesters burn tyres and stop buses.

8:44 am:  Rahul Gandhi arrives at Rajghat 

Congress President Rahul Gandhi arrives at Rajghat to join ‘Bharat Bandh’ protest against hike of fuel prices.

8:25 am: Extra police forces deployed across Pune Commissioner Of Police, Pune City, Venkatesham K says, “Extra deployment of forces has been done across the city today. Firm action will be taken on any miscreants taking law into their hands.”

8.06 am: CPI and CPI-M workers protest in Vijayawada

7.59 am: Mumbai Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam detained 

Leader of Mumbai Congress Sanjay Nirupam has been detained. 

Earlier Nirupam had tweeted that Congress workers were being picked up since early morning.

7.40 am: Congress workers protest in Telangana

Telangana: Congress workers hold protests in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district's Bhongir (pic 1) and Musheerabad bus depot (pic 2) in Hyderabad, against fuel price hike

7.15 am: Opposition parties protest in Odisha’s Bhubaneswar

#BharatBandh: Protests being held in Odisha's Bhubaneswar by opposition parties against fuel price hike

7.00 am: State bus services closed in north-eastern Karnataka

Bus services of North Eastern Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NEKRTC) closed in view of Bharat Bandh.

Kalaburagi: Bus services of North Eastern Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NEKRTC) aren't operational today as #BharathBandh has been called by Congress and other opposition parties against fuel price hike. #Karnataka

6.45 am: CPI(M) holds protest in Visakhapatnam

#BharathBandh: CPI(M) holds protest in #AndhraPradesh's Visakhapatnam against fuel price hike

6.30 am: Congress workers block train in Odisha 

Congress workers block a train in Sambalpur in Odisha.