Demonetisation: Little response to Opposition's Jan Aakrosh Diwas, normal life remains unaffected

New Delhi: Various Opposition parties on Monday held a countrywide protest on what they call the government's mishandling of the currency ban. 

The Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said that while they do not support the all-India shutdown (Bharat Bandh), they will continue their protest in Parliament and on the streets against the BJP-led central government's demonetisation policy. 

Only the Left Front, which has its presence in Kerala, West Bengal and Tripura, called for a 12-hour bandh in these three states. 

Left parties 12 hour bandh call: Bandh observed in Thiruvananthapuram #DeMonetisation pic.twitter.com/7INC0pP7uo — ANI (@ANI_news) November 28, 2016

Early today, several Samajwadi Party workers held a demonstration and burnt effigy of central government in Allahabad against the implementation of the demonstration policy. 

In Bihar, CPI(ML) workers stopped Hatia-Patna Express train in Jehanabad in protest against the note ban. In Patna, Congress workers took out a Jan Aakrosh Diwas rally against the note ban implementation. 

Bihar: CPI(ML) workers in Darbhanga stop train in protest against #DeMonetisation (earlier visuals) pic.twitter.com/Aj7eqyrHzF — ANI (@ANI_news) November 28, 2016

Patna: Congress #janakroshdiwas rally against #DeMonetisation pic.twitter.com/JMaYpqaDqF — ANI (@ANI_news) November 28, 2016

In West Bengal, the 12-hour band called by the Left evoked lukewarm response as train and flight movement in the state remained normal with most vehicles hitting the streets, and markets and shops remained open.

Left parties 12 hour bandh call: Normal life continues in Kolkata #DeMonetisation pic.twitter.com/uvoqCI7w6t — ANI (@ANI_news) November 28, 2016

Normal life remained crippled in Left-ruled Tripura and Kerala due to the shutdown call as all government and semi-government, private offices, banks, educational institutions, shops and business establishments remained closed. All types of vehicles, except security forces too remained off the roads.

Train services between Tripura and rest of the country were affected due to the shutdown. 

In Chennai, DMK workers participated in protest against demonetisation of high value currency notes. 

Chennai: DMK workers protest against #DeMonetisation pic.twitter.com/2Ot8ctDQoS — ANI (@ANI_news) November 28, 2016

In Nagpur, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers observed 'Jan Abhaar Divas' to counter Congress' Jan Aakrosh Diwas and offered sweets and flowers to people working today. 

Nagpur: BJP's 'Jan Abhaar Divas' to counter Congress's #janakroshdiwas, offer sweets and flowers to people working #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/z5JbYcBwmg — ANI (@ANI_news) November 28, 2016

A meeting of all the opposition parties, barring JD(U), was held in the chamber of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad in Parliament House here and it was decided that the protests will continue till their demands are met, PTI sources said.

Meeting of Opposition parties underway in Parliament #DeMonetisation #wintersession pic.twitter.com/SnxvS1jtGC — ANI (@ANI_news) November 28, 2016

The opposition parties have been divided over the ways to protest against demonetisation ever since Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee decided to march to the President against it.

While she was joined by AAP, National Conference and Shiv Sena, an NDA ally, other opposition parties stayed away.

Shiv Sena has backed demonetisation but said it is unhappy over the way it was causing problems to people.