“Bharat-bandh” had mixed effect on people’s lives in Mysore

By Nithin Sridhar

The day-long nationwide strike called by various central trade unions and many other organizations had a mixed effect in Mysore.

Almost all schools and colleges declared a holiday for the day. Most of the banks remained closed as well.

In the central areas of Mysore, though most of the shops remained closed, many were kept open as well. The traffic too was dried up in areas of importance like Ramaswamy Circle, City Bus stand, etc. where heavy traffic could be seen on normal days.

But the strike showed no significant effect in the residential areas. Shops remained open but the traffic was a little leaner than usual.

Buses were stopped from plying till around 6 PM, though the Auto Rickshaws ran without any hindrance.

In the morning, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) workers' union marched in a rally starting from the Mysore Suburban Bus Stand to the Mysore City Bus Stand. The union was heard shouting slogans against union government's proposed amendments regarding the motor bills.

The student unions gathered in the morning near Ramaswamy circle in a symbolic protest against the union government's policies regarding education.

As a whole, even though the services like public transport, banking, and schools remained closed for the day, there were no disruptive effects on the lives of people, especially in the residential areas.