Zee Media Bureau/Tarun Khanna
Patna: Seeking special status for Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has called for bandh in the state on Sunday.
Kumar, along with his supporters, had carried out a protest march from his residence in Patna to the Gandhi Maidan where he has now staged a sit-in under Mahatma Gandhi`s statue.
Leaving essential services to operate normally, everything else will remain close in the state.
Many JD(U) activists blocked rail and road traffic and shouted slogans during the protest march.
Other state leaders including Vijay Chaudhary and Shyam Rajak, state JD(U) state President Basistha Narayan Singh joined Kumar in beating the utensil at his home. Economist Saibal Gupta, who represented Bihar in Raghuram Rajan committee for redefining backwardness, was also present during the protest march.
Citing Raghuram Rajan committee recommendations, Kumar said that though Bihar qualifies for special status, yet the Centre has put the demand in cold storage. He further added that beating of utensils was aimed at sending a voice of protest to the central government and that they`ll continue protesting till their demand is not fulfilled.
The JD(U) supremo also said that they have no issues that special status was granted to Seemandhra within 24 hours of Telangana formation. However, he said that Bihar should also be considered with utmost priority.
