Bandh proves battleground more than fight for a cause

fidence of sorting things out through discussions.

Bhubaneswar bandh on Wednesday turned the major thoroughfares of the city into a battleground with the Bharatiya Janata Party, that had called the bandh, and the ruling Biju Janata Dal getting into a violent mode. The protest that began from dawn with BJP workers picketing on the junctions not allowing any vehicles to pass by started witnessing maddening scenes with the party workers burning and damaging vehicles besides beating up people who did not pay heed. Shops were left with broken windows and hoardings pulled down.

As if that was not enough the ruling BJD, that has been in the eye of many storms since the past couple of years in the fourth term of Naveen Patnaik as chief minister (health issues, law and order problems), made matters worse by trying to foil BJP’s bandh attempts.  Scores of BJD workers were seen zooming past in two wheelers antagonising the BJP party workers and not allowing them to stop vehicles. Some BJP women workers who were sitting on the roads were hushed away and abused by the rowdy BJD workers who threw all norms to wind, right in front of the police.

This led to scuffles near Utkal University campus and Ram Mandir square with the police, as usual,  remaining a mute spectator till the damage was done. Scores of workers from both parties were injured and rushed to hospital. Police, feigned ignorance about calculating the expected  magnitude of violence.

The bandh, called demanding resignation of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Mayor’s resignation over his alleged link in a murder case and a sex slur associated with the case, was certainly successful as most offices witnessed thin attendance and schools remained empty. The state secretariat was no exception, where even the ministers and secretaries failed to reach on time while many officers were seen entering through back doors.

Violent politics which was the mantra of Congress till now has taken the BJD to a large extent and BJP to a some extent, into its destructive fold.  The recent violence on campuses of the state before and after elections exposed the chinks in the armour of the BJD and today’s incident has once again raised question marks on its insecurity. Not long back, the BJD legislators were also seen involved in violence during black flag and egg hitting protests by the BJP and the Congress.  It has brought to fore the party’s fear about losing to either of the parties in issues affecting the state.

 Its time Naveen Patnaik, known for being strict with his rank and file in case  of  any indiscipline, rose to the occasion to stop his partymen’s behaviour on roads before more damage is done to at least not set any more precedence.  Instead of dodging meeting Opposition members on the floor of the House or secretariat, a man who has romped home victorious over and over again, must have the confidence of sorting things out through discussions.