Early inputs from various districts in Maharashtra showed mixed response to the 'Bharat Bandh' call given by the farmer unions as no major disturbance was reported from anywhere in the early hours of Tuesday.
The shutdown from 11 am to 3 pm focuses mainly on "chakka jaam" (no vehicular movement). The call was, however, supported by various Opposition political parties. The morning peak-hour traffic movement was by and large normal across the major cities such as Pune, Mumbai.
Partial 'Bharat Bandh' impact was seen in vegetable 'mandis' in Maharashtra but commercial establishments were likely to be not affected as the retailers' bodies have kept off the shutdown.
State and city borders were open, and public vehicles like auto-rickshaw, aggregator cabs, a few heavy vehicles carrying essential items were moving on roads.
Maharashtra saw a mixed response was observed in the morning, especially in the urban areas. While all APMCs across the state were deserted in the morning, shops and commercial establishments were open. The traffic movement in cities such as Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Aurangabad and Nashik was normal.
The 'Bharat Bandh' is supported by the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi allies Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party, Congress, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi, other Left parties, several student organisations and students of major academic institutions and trade Unions.
Declaring that it's "not a political bandh", the Shiv Sena has appealed to all people to participate voluntarily in support of the farmers across the country who are demanding a repeal of the three new central farm laws.
