Bharat Bandh: Opposition parties unite for protest against govt over rising fuel prices

SUMMARY

The Congress, along with a number of opposition parties and regional outfits, launched a nation-wide strike -- Bharat Bandh -- against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) over the Narendra Modi government's policies amid rising prices of petrol and diesel across the country. The protesting parties alleged that the Modi government has avoided offering a direct explanation on why fuel prices have been rising non-stop.

By CNBC-TV18Sept 10, 2018 4:44:01 PM IST (Updated)

Rahul Gandhi(L), President, Congress party talks to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (C) and his mother and leader of the party Sonia Gandhi during a protest against record high petrol and diesel prices in New Delhi, India, September 10, 2018. Photo Credit-Reuters

Everyone has a right to protest but what is happening today? Petrol pumps and buses being set ablaze, putting to risk lives. A child died after an ambulance was stuck in the protests in Bihar's Jehanabad. Who is responsible?: Ravi Shankar Prasad,Union Minister. (Inputs: ANI)

I feel that the macroeconomic price for petrol is Rs 40 and somehow the PM must ask the Petroleum Minister to think as a part of Economic Affairs Ministry& not as Petroleum minister and stop setting prices so high that people can go to the point of revolt: Subramanian Swamy, BJP. (Inputs: ANI)

A motorcyclist rides pass burning tyres put up on fire by supporters of Congress party, during a nationwide strike against hike in fuel prices, in Guwahati, India September 10, 2018. Photo Credit-Reuters

Patna: RJD workers stage a demonstration as they block railway tracks and disrupt railway services during a nationwide shutdown protest - 'Bharat Bandh' against rising fuel prices called by opposition parties led by Congress; in Patna on Sept 10, 2018. (Photo: IANS)

Supporters of Congress party shout slogans during a protest against the rising of fuel prices in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. Photo Credit-AP

Patna: Members of CPI-ML's student wing - All India Students Association (AISA) stage a demonstration during a nationwide shutdown protest - 'Bharat Bandh' against rising fuel prices called by opposition parties led by Congress; in Patna on Sept 10, 2018. (Photo: IANS)

New Delhi: Congress President Rahul Gandhi with senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and others during 'Bharat Bandh' protest march against fuel price hike and depreciation of the rupee, at Rajghat in New Delhi, Monday, Sept 10, 2018. (PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist)

New Delhi: Congress President Rahul Gandhi with senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and others during 'Bharat Bandh' protest march against fuel price hike and depreciation of the rupee, at Rajghat in New Delhi, Monday, Sept 10, 2018. (PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist)

Patna: A view of closed shops during 'Bharat Bandh' protest against fuel price hike and depreciation of the rupee, in Patna, Monday, Sept 10, 2018. (PTI Photo)

New Delhi: Congress President Rahul Gandhi with senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and others pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat before 'Bharat Bandh' protest march against fuel price hike and depreciation of the rupee, in New Delhi, Monday, Sept 10, 2018. (PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist)

Patna: Security personnel stand guard outside the state BJP office during 'Bharat Bandh' protest against fuel price hike and depreciation of the rupee, in Patna, Monday, Sept 10, 2018. (PTI Photo)

New Delhi: Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Rahul Gandhi and others during 'Bharat Bandh' protest against fuel price hike and depreciation of the rupee, in New Delhi, Monday, Sept 10, 2018. (PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist)

New Delhi: Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi arrives to participate in 'Bharat Bandh' protest against fuel price hike and depreciation of the rupee, in New Delhi, Monday, Sept 10, 2018. (PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist)

Patna: A view of a bus depot following 'Bharat Bandh' protest against fuel price hike and depreciation of the rupee, in Patna, Monday, Sept 10, 2018. (PTI Photo)

New Delhi: Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Rahul Gandhi and others during 'Bharat Bandh' protest against fuel price hike and depreciation of the rupee, at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, Monday, Sept 10, 2018. (PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist)

Patna: Jan Adhikar Party supporter during 'Bharat Bandh' protest against fuel price hike and depreciation of the rupee, in Patna, Monday, Sept 10, 2018. (PTI Photo)

Patna: Jan Adhikar Party supporters vandalise vehicles during 'Bharat Bandh' protest against fuel price hike and depreciation of the rupee, in Patna, Monday, Sept 10, 2018. (PTI Photo)

Patna: Jan Adhikar Party supporter vandalises vehicles during 'Bharat Bandh' protest against fuel price hike and depreciation of the rupee, in Patna, Monday, Sept 10, 2018. (PTI Photo)

Agartala:A view of closed shops during 'Bharat Bandh' protest against fuel price hike and depreciation of the rupee, in Agartala, Monday, Sept 10, 2018. (PTI Photo)

Guwahati: A man walks past a closed filling station during 'Bharat Bandh' protest against fuel price hike and depreciation of the rupee, in Guwahati, Monday, Sept 10, 2018. (PTI Photo)

Chikmagalur: A stranded passenger sleeps on a platform of a bus stand during 'Bharat Bandh' strike called by Congress and other parties against fuel price hike and depreciation of the rupee, in Chikmagalur, Monday, Sept 10, 2018. (PTI Photo)

Agartala: Policemen detain a demonstrator during 'Bharat Bandh' protest against fuel price hike and depreciation of the rupee, in Agartala, Monday, Sept 10, 2018. (PTI Photo)

Mumbai: Congress workers stop a train at Andheri during 'Bharat Bandh' protest called by Congress and other parties against fuel price hike and depreciation of the rupee. Monday, Sept 10, 2018. (PTI Photo/Shirish Shete)

Jammu: Congress Party workers raise slogans during 'Bharat Bandh' protest called by Congress and other parties against fuel price hike and depreciation of the rupee, in Jammu, Monday, Sept 10, 2018. (PTI Photo)

New Delhi: (L-R) NCP Chief Sharad Pawar, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh and former Congress president Sonia Gandhi during 'Bharat Bandh' protest against fuel price hike and depreciation of the rupee, in New Delhi, Monday, Sept 10, 2018.(PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary)

Jammu: Detained Congress Party workers raise slogans during 'Bharat Bandh' protest called by Congress and other parties against fuel price hike and depreciation of the rupee, in Jammu, Monday, Sept 10, 2018. (PTI Photo)

Patna: Samajwadi Party activists raise slogans holding their party flags during 'Bharat Bandh' protest called by Congress and other parties against fuel price hike and depreciation of the rupee, in Patna, Monday, Sept 10, 2018. (PTI Photo)

Patna: RJD supporters raise slogans during 'Bharat Bandh' protest called by Congress and other parties against fuel price hike and depreciation of the rupee, in Patna, Monday, Sept 10, 2018. (PTI Photo)

Guwahati: Congress in-charge for Assam, Harish Rawat, and party supporters during 'Bharat Bandh' protest called by Congress and other parties against fuel price hike and depreciation of the rupee, in Guwahati, Monday, Sept 10, 2018. (PTI Photo)