Bandhs

After a long hiatus, grey shades is back to talk about bandhs..

When we were kids, bandhs meant watching TV / reading books through the day. Then depending on whether it was a 12 hr or 24 hr bandh, we used to step out in the evening for chaat or a meal. All in all, we used to think a stay well spent…! My Dad however used to get super excited on these days. He conveniently used to stick a ‘Press’ poster on his car and rush to his office in the early hours of the morning before bandh officially kick started. I remember we sisters and friends praying fervently for a divine (read Mamta more often than not) intervention before every exam.

As we grew up, we realized bandhs are quite a regular phenomenon in this wonder state called Bengal. They were called for the slightest of reasons - lawlessness in the state, highhandedness of the govt in power, some policy of the central govt., - you name it, we have had it. And, promptly on that one call (whether by the state govt or the opposition), the entire city would shut down.

To give credit to the bandh callers, the day of the bandh was chosen quite strategically – not any day of the day would do… mind you, the bandh had to be on a Monday or a Friday so that the hardworking people of Bengal could get the benefit of an extended 3 day weekend. Who says politicians don’t work for the welfare of the people…!

Slowly but surely, the sheer futility of the bandhs hit us. Crippling the entire state on the whims and fancies of the CPM or the opposition was criminal. Spare a thought for the daily wage earners who wouldn’t get anything to eat if they don’t get a full day work. But, when you are tackling larger issues like terrorism, lawlessness, Singur, the daily wage earner can take a hike. I have no clue what was achieved through the bandhs and the damage done to Bengal and its people with each bandh was evident. I remember one bandh called in the city to protest against the terrorist attacks in Zaveri Bazar, Mumbai. On this, an Industry captain had commented: ‘I find it extremely funny that Mumbai is up and running the day after the attacks, while Calcutta has chosen to shut itself down in protest of these attacks’. This bandh obviously did not deter the terrorists from bombing Ahmedabad / Delhi / Mumbai etc. J

Today another 12 hr bandh has been called in the state to protest the attacks on the Congress workers by the CPM. Anyone who thought that the MLA who ran 3 kms in the paddy fields, chappals in hand and dhoti held high, to save his life from the CPM workers running behind him, would let this incident pass by were sorely mistaken. The entire state will pay for it – already evidenced by the torching of 7 state buses yesterday. To top it all, my 9 year old brother says ‘I had an exam today…awesome now I don’t have to study’ – somethings clearly haven’t changed...