What bandh? It's business as usual in Mumbai

Congress workers lead a morcha near Kherwadi junction off Western Express Highway this morning, halting traffic and delaying several office-goers. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Mumbai gave a cold shoulder to opposition parties' call for a nationwide bandh - dubbed Jan Aakrosh - on Monday to oppose demonetisation.

Barring a few protest marches, the busy-as-ever city didn't miss a step in getting around to life as usual. All government offices remained open as did banks, private organisations and schools and colleges. Till noon, no major protest had been reported.

The junction was barricaded to allow the morcha to pass through. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Regardless of the response, the police were given orders to take precautionary measures at sensitive spots. An inkling to the lukewarm response had begun to trickle in yesterday itself when many organisations said they would refrain from participating in the 'Bharat bandh'.

"Schools are not supporting the bandh and it was communicated to parents to avoid any confusion," said Prashat Redij, Mumbai spokesperson for Maharashtra School Principals' Association.

Students of Mumbai University, appearing for semester examinations, were anxious about hindrances in reaching their centres, but faced no problem. Roshan Shirwankar, an MA Political Science student, said, "The university issued a statement on Sunday, stating that there will not be any change in the examination timetable in light of the Bharat bandh. We were tensed initially, but we faced no in reaching colleges."