Like it or not, bandhs have become a part of life in Kolkata (and the whole state). Though not all bandhs are born equal, people remain apprehensive nevertheless. Yesterday, for example, life was more or less on the move. Markets opened, vehicles plied, albeit sparsely.
There were pockets of lawlessness, some local trains in the southern suburbs stopped by force and stones thrown at buses at several places injuring passengers. Among the latter was my sister who was struck on her head by a stone when she was traveling in a bus. She got the injury stitched up and bandaged, which means she won’t be out on road for at least a week.
An unwritten rule is now in vogue. If a working day is lost on account of forced work stoppage, the end of week, that is Saturday, will be used to make up the loss. Thus schools and offices that remained shut yesterday will remain open on Saturday.
Whether industries come to Bengal or not, residents of the city have little option but to take bandhs in stride in much the same way other strife-ridden places elsewhere learn to manage.
It’s another matter that people who must come out on such days either due to emergency or to earn bread have to perforce take risk. For them it’s a tough call, but then who knows it can very well be my turn next time to hang my neck out.
I may not like but I have to take that in stride.
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