If one has to study the changing context of Indian Polity from independence, one aspect that could hardly be forgotten is the culture of 'Bandh'. In past few decades it has become integral part of almost every political party, specially with the one in opposition.
There are logical reasons why Bandh is so popular among the Parties.
First, it is more effective than conventional struggle as the Government can not ignore the protests.
Second, it is a swift action as of any military operation, so it doesn't take long drawn out battles, which the parties are clearly unwilling to fight.
Thirdly, in the age of media overreach, it attracts immense publicity.
Last but not least, the sheer nuisance value parties possess to disrupt the everyday life of people, protects their irrationality from uncomfortable questions.
In the analysis of outcomes, Bandh are equally effective and grossly ineffective. They are grossly ineffective in finding solution for the problem. But, they are far more effective in providing mileage to the political parties.
A 'Bandh' for day solves no problem, seeks no solution, rather it blocks any consensual and democratic solution. Bandh arises from a mentality of blackmailing the government to yield to and threatening the people to yield in.
The very nature of Political ideologies of parties, from far left to far right, has an element of intolerance and irrationality as the core basic. So, when a party is in power, it prefers unilateral decisions rather than consensual, and the one in opposition seeks Bandh than cooperative struggle.
Babasaheb Ambedkar, while describing Civil Disobedience called it 'Grammar of Anarchy', which has no place in constitutional India. Perhaps, his India does not believe in his grammar of constitution and the Disobedience is not Civil.
So, the very basics of Bandh is the underlying 'Anarchy' just to prove your point. It undermines all the constitutional and democratic tools available, it legitimizes the intolerance and it adds more misery to the already suffering poor, who loose a day's job as well as a day's meal.
