‘Millions’ strike in protest at Indian government policies

NEW DELHI: Millions went on strike throughoutIndia on Wednesday, unions said, as workers angry at the government’s labourpolicies brought travel chaos across the country.

The widespread action was in opposition to what unions called the“anti-worker and anti-people policies” of right-wing Prime Minister NarendraModi.

They highlighted the recent privatisation of public firms and naturalresources and demanded a rise in the minimum wage and pensions.

Farmers and students joined some of the protests called by 10 trade unionswho claim 250 million members between them.

Bus and train services and stateowned banks bore the brunt of the nationalstrike action that was staged in defiance of government warnings of“consequences” for anyone who took part.

Protesters blocked roads and railway tracks, while those at rallies alsochanted slogans against the government’s new nationality law that opponents sayis anti-Muslim and has sparked widespread demonstrations.

In West Bengal state, strikers targeted railways and key highways andburned tyres on a main road in the state capital of Kolkata. Protesters carriedred flags at rallies in the city.

Police said there had been some “clashes” in Kolkata and other districtsbetween supporters and opponents of the strike.

The eastern states of Bihar and Odisha, Maharashtra in the west, Haryana inthe north and Kerala and Karnataka in the south were also hit by the action.

Some workers at state oil and coal firms joined the strike.

The government had warned strikers that they would face “consequences” including having wages deducted and other disciplinary action if they joinedthe protest.

But the strike added to pressure on the Modi government already hit bywidespread protests over the nationality law passed on December 11. More than25 people have been killed in the protests. Growing unrest in universities hasadded to social tensions.

— AFP