Cochin | The High Court has rejected the petition filed against the hartal called in Kerala in connection with the September 27 Bharat Bandh. The petition to declare the hartal illegal was rejected. The High Court had sought the opinion of the state government on the petition. The government told the court that it would not allow the hartal to be imposed and would provide protection to those who did not participate in the hartal and provide them with facilities to work and travel. The government told the court that those who were not interested in the hartal could work and ensure that no untoward incidents took place.
The Kerala High Court had earlier issued guidelines and imposed strict restrictions on the declaration and implementation of hartals. The petitioner, a native of Sasthamcotta, Kollam, had alleged that the hartal was being conducted without complying with the High Court order that a hartal could be declared only with prior notice. However, the state government told the high court that the provision had not become law and was a bill proposal. It was in this context that the court rejected the demand that the hartal be declared illegal.
In Kerala, the joint trade unions, the LDF and the UDF have announced their support for the Bharat Bandh called by farmers’ organizations. However, only Sangh Parivar organizations, including the BJP and BMS, have made it clear that they will not participate in the Bharat Bandh.
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