By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The commoners, who are fed up with the rising inflation have hailed the Bharat Bandh which was called in protest against the rise in price of diesel and cap on LPG cylinders across the country on Thursday. However, many believed that Bandh is not the only way to express public outcry in a democratic set up.
Even though the Bandh was sponsored by the BJP-led NDA, people refused to support any political party observing that all of them have some vested interest or the other.
However, the daylong Bandh was nevertheless a success even as it meant immense difficulties particularly for those who earn their living through daily wages.
A roadside vendor from Police Bazar who earns his living by selling fast food items said that a lost day means a huge drop in his profit and earning. “Though everyone is affected by inflation but in order to beat inflation we cannot keep everything close and observe Bandh rather we have to devote more time to our work,” said the vendor who sells his stuff till 10 o’clock at night.
A retired government employee Pramod Joshi said that the time has come when the commoners have to come out in the streets and take charge of things.
“There is no other option left before the people. Farmers in the country are dying as they cannot repay their debts.”
“Many parents are forced to withdraw their wards from school since they are unable to finance their studies. Every section of the society is at the receiving end due to the current state-of-affairs”, he said.
He views were echoed by an ad-hoc school teacher, who gets her salary once in six months, said that if the current situation continues, the country could see a time similar to the food riot that broke out in Africa in the past.
“In Africa people broke into the house of others for food with weapons. I think a situation similar to that is not far here if the present condition persists,” she said.
A private firm employee Elisia Nengnong said that a countrywide protest as was seen during the Anna Hazare movement is what is required since it has become a customary habit of the Central Government to increase the rate of fuel for which the ‘soft’ public is also to be blamed.
A college professor observed that commoners like him are fighting inflation for the last eight years since the Congress-led UPA government took over.
The government though has defended its recent decisions saying that it was the time to take hard decisions in order to take the country forward. It justified the hike in diesel price and cap on LPG cylinders saying that it was necessary to avoid an increase in fiscal deficit that would lead to a steep rise in cost of essential commodities.
Whatever the reason might be for now it is the common man who is at the receiving end of things.
