As people continue to experience frustration standing in seemingly endless queues outside banks and ATMs, the opposition called for Bharat Bandh to ’empathize’ with the common man. All political parties came together to protest against PM Modi’s demonetisation drive on Monday, November 28. Needless to say, it was a flop show for Congress yesterday, especially in Rajasthan. Congress’s call for ‘Jan Akrosh Diwas’ received poor public response as daily life remained unaffected. To top it all, amidst currency crunch and political hostilities, social media users find hilarious ways to express their displeasure regarding this issue.
Congress was Expecting a Complete Lockdown but Change in Plans was in Order
Congress leaders looked forward to ‘Bharat Bandh’, a countrywide shutdown in all major states of India. Lack of public participation shattered all their hopes and the leaders had to change their strategy. They decided to observe November 28 as ‘Jan Aakrosh Diwas’ to hold protest against the Centre thinking that people would support them in this drive. Apparently ‘Plan B’ failed big time.
Here’s what happened in Rajasthan on ‘Jan Aakrosh Diwas’.
Bharat Bandh in Rajasthan: What did Opposition do?
The Aam Aadmi Party ‘AAP’ led by state leader Amit Lio held a loud demonstration in TP (Transport Nagar). Why? Because according to Lio,
“Preparations should have been made before demonetising the currency notes. People are facing hardships in exchanging scrapped notes and are left with no cash in hand. Normal life has been badly hit”.
Likewise, the CPI led a protest in the heart of the city. This didn’t sit well with the members of ABVP (Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad). The student’s group organized a rally against Rajasthan Congress’s idea of Akrosh Diwas. This march was peacefully held in the Jaipur amid tight security measures.
How did Public Respond to this Hullabaloo?
The common man didn’t seem too enthusiastic about ‘Bharat Bandh’. When asked, local businessmen, shopkeepers and office employees had negative outlook in this regard.
Subhash Goyal, President, Jaipur Vyapar Mahasangh, said “All the markets were open and there was no impact of the bandh call here. The business community has welcomed demonetisation because of its far reaching impact.”
As per Ajay Vijayvargiya, Mahasangh Secretary, “People from the trade and industry, and common men have not supported the bandh.”
Meanwhile the social media was flooded with hilarious tweets, memes and creative. Here, take a look at it:
Just because @ArvindKejriwal ji is asking for bharat bandh on monday, people are willing to work on monday. Revolution.#2HrsExtraWork28Nov
— Maithun (@Being_Humor) November 26, 2016
"TODAY, BHARAT IS BANDH."
Shops: "LOL"
Shopkeepers: "LMAO"
Traffic: "ROFL"
Offices: "STFU"
ATMs: "Hum toh waise hi bandh hain bro"— Akshar (@AksharPathak) November 28, 2016
This Bharat Bandh is a bigger flop than any Dino Morea movie ever.
— A La' Vile De Satara (@AdvancedMaushi) November 28, 2016
Left parties want a Bharat Bandh against Demonetisation.
Because, it's derailing the economy.
So, let's not let anyone work.
Cool plan, bro.— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) November 26, 2016
In short, Rajasthan Congress’ plans backfired since the public sided with Prime Minister Modi on this issue. What is the Opposition planning next? We’ll have to wait and watch.
