The Congress has called a nationwide ‘Bharat Bandh’ today in protest of continuous rise of fuel prices in the country. Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, just a day after the key BJP meet, the Bharat Bandh is a chance for the Opposition to showcase its unity against the Narendra Modi government as well as set tone for the anti-BJP agenda.
The Congress has called a nationwide ‘Bharat Bandh’ today in protest of continuous rise of fuel prices in the country. Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, just a day after the key BJP meet, the Bharat Bandh is a chance for the Opposition to showcase its unity against the Narendra Modi government as well as set tone for the anti-BJP agenda.
As the officials in various states brace for possible law and order situation, here’s the lowdown on what exactly is going on for the September 10 protest:
What is Bharat Bandh?
Bharat Bandh is pan-India stir called by the main Opposition party Congress against the steep hike in the fuel prices.
When is Bharat Bandh?
Today, September 10, has been decided as the date for Bharat Bandh. According to the Congress, the protests will be held in various parts across India between 9 am to 3 pm. The Congress spokesperson says that the schedule has been decided to minimize inconvenience to the common man.
Who all are supporting/ participating in the Bharat Bandh?
While the Congress is leading the Bharat Bandh, here are other Opposition parties, who have decided to join the anti-Modi government protest. These parties are
1. Samajwadi Party
2. Bahujan Samaj Party
3. Nationalist Congress Party
4. All India Trinamool Congress
5. Rashtriya Lok Dal
6. Rashtriya Janata Dal
7. Communist Party of India
8. Communist Party of India (Marxist)
9. All India United Democratic Front
10. Jammu & Kashmir National Conference
11. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha
12. Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik)
13. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
14. Aam Aadmi Party
15. Telugu Desam Party
16. Kerala Congress (M)
17. Revolutionary Socialist Party
18. Indian Union Muslim League
19. Loktantrik Janata Dal (Sharad Yadav)
20. Swabhimani Paksha (Raju Shetti)
21. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena
Who all are opposing the Bharat Bandh?
The ruling BJP and its allies in the National Democratic Alliance are obviously against the Bharat Bandh. Even BJP's most sulking ally Shiv Sena has also steered clear of the Bharat Bandh.
Where will be the maximum impact of the Bharat Bandh?
From initial reports, it looks like Karnataka’s capital Bengaluru will be completely shut down as the state government announced a public holiday on Monday. All government offices and schools in the capital city will remain closed today. With both NCP and MNS extending their support for the Bharat Badnh, there might be some impact in and around Mumbai. West Bengal, Punjab and Jharkhand are also likely to see impact of the Bharat Bandh.
Why the Opposition has called out for the Bharat Bandh?
The main reason for the Bharat Bandh is the continuous steep hike in the petrol and diesel prices across the country. On Sunday, the increase pushed the petrol price in Delhi to Rs 80.50 per litre. Diesel rate touched its highest level of Rs 72.61 a litre.
While the oil companies say that the petrol at refinery gate costs around Rs 40.50 a litre and diesel Rs 43, the Centre levies a total excise duty of Rs 19.48 per litre of petrol and Rs 15.33 per litre on diesel. On top of this, states levy Value Added Tax (VAT) -- the lowest being in Andaman and Nicobar Islands where 6 per cent sales tax is charged on both the fuels.
Mumbai has the highest VAT of 39.12 per cent on petrol, while Telangana levies the highest VAT of 26 per cent on diesel. Delhi charges a VAT of 27 per cent on petrol and 17.24 per cent on diesel.
The Central government had raised excise duty on petrol by Rs 11.77 a litre and that on diesel by 13.47 a litre in nine installments between November 2014 and January 2016 to shore up finances as global oil prices fell, but then cut the tax just once in October last year by Rs 2 a litre.
This led to its excise collections from petro goods more than doubling in the last four years -- from Rs 99,184 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 2,29,019 crore in 2017-18. States saw their VAT revenue from petro goods rise from Rs 1,37,157 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 1,84,091 crore in 2017-18.
What should you do?
Check for updates from official Twitter handles of government agencies and police in your city to look for verified information. Don’t blindly believe on WhatsApp forwards.
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