Good response to call for Hubballi Dharwad bandh over remarks about B. R. Ambedkar by Union Home Minister Amit Shah

On January 9, most vendors did not come to the market, and those who did come were requested not to operate their business till 6 p.m.

The call for Hubballi Dharwad bandh by Dalit organisations in protest against Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s alleged derogatory remarks against B.R. Ambedkar evoked a good response in the twin cities on January 9.

Shops and business establishments in the central business districts and elsewhere remained closed in response to the appeal for voluntary participation in the bandh, and public transport buses remained off the road.

Along with 102 organisations and associations, Congress party too had extended support to the bandh called to condemn the remarks of Mr. Shah and seeking his dismissal from the Union Cabinet. Early in the morning, members of Dalit organisations and Congress workers were seen visiting various parts of the city on motorcycles seeking support for the bandh call. Several were seen walking in a procession in the central business district holding posters of B.R. Ambedkar.

In fact, on January 8, the organisations had employed volunteers to go around the city in autorickshaws announcing Thursday’s bandh call and seeking their support. On January 9, most vendors did not come to the market, and those who did come were requested not to operate their business till 6 p.m.

By 10 a.m., protest marches began in several localities with women also taking part. Members of various organisations came out in motorcycles in protest against Mr. Amit Shah. Most of the hotels and restaurants remained closed while the few that operated in the morning, downed shutters subsequently.

Public transport bus service was suspended by the authorities as a precautionary measure. Schools had declared a holiday as a precautionary measure as per advice of block education authorities. Several colleges too had declared a holiday. Most of the autorickshaws remained off the roads. In the absence of public transport, those going to offices were seen being dropped by family members while some walked to their offices.