At least 21 opposition parties, led by the Congress, are participating in the 'Bharat Bandh' or shutdown to protest the rise in fuel prices in the country and depreciation of the rupee.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who joined protests in Delhi, questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the rising fuel prices. Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had refused to join the bandh, also sent its leader Sanjay Singh. Top opposition leaders like Sharad Pawar, MK Stalin and Left leaders have supported the bandh, while Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress has decided to stay away. The effect of the shutdown is especially evident in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala and Bihar.
