Politics Of Protest: What’s Ironical About The Strike Called For In Bengal On Monday

How does the left, which has lost its relevance in almost all parts of the world, protest the alleged harassment faced by people over demonetisation?

Call for a shutdown that will cause more harassment and loss of earnings for the very same people whose interests it professes to protect.

Thus, a motley group of 18 left and other parties - the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, Forward Bloc, Revolutionary Socialist Party, Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal and Nationalist Congress Party - which barely have any presence in the state have called for the 12-hour general strike in Bengal on Monday (28 November) to "protest the harassment faced by people following the central government's demonetisation drive".

This general strike, coupled with the 'Akrosh Divas' that Mamata Banerjee and her party members would observe on Monday through protest rallies and street processions, will surely bring Bengal to a standstill. And therein lies the supreme irony of these political parties causing more harassment and inconvenience to the common people who have, by and large, backed the demonetisation drive.

The political parties have, however, chosen the day very carefully. 26 November (Saturday) is the fourth Saturday of the month and, therefore, a holiday for employees in state and central government offices and undertakings.

Sunday is a holiday for all, and with the shutdown on Monday, it will be an extended weekend for the army of the state and central employees.