The Bharat Bandh against Centre’s decision to hike diesel price and allow FDI in multi-brand retail evoked strong response in most parts of the country with protestors taking to the streets in many cities raising slogans and blocking rail and road traffic. The NDA — except Shiv Sena — and other political parties and formations like the Left, DMK and Samajwadi Party are staging the nation-wide protest with support from several trade bodies.

Down with the congress! Samajwadi Party workers attempted to stop trains and burnt effigies of PM Manmohan Singh on the tracks in Allahabad.