Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala witnessed a complete shutdown on Wednesday as the nationwide general strike called by ten central trade unions received overwhelming support across the state. The strike, spearheaded by Left-affiliated unions, brought daily life to a grinding halt.
Shops, public markets, commercial establishments, offices, and educational institutions remained shut in nearly every part of the state. The response was especially intense, given that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) is in power in Kerala, which contributed to the widespread compliance with the strike.
Public transport services were also severely disrupted. While private vehicles and two-wheelers were seen on the roads, buses and other public transport vehicles remained off-duty. Despite Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar announcing that the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) would operate its services, not a single bus was seen running.
In Kochi, although a few KSRTC drivers and conductors turned up for duty, they were prevented from operating by members of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), leading to complete paralysis of services and leaving many passengers stranded.
In Kollam, tension escalated when KSRTC employees who attempted to operate a bus were assaulted by their protesting colleagues. The police, however, reportedly did not intervene and remained passive observers.
In Adoor, a KSRTC driver was seen donning a helmet while driving his bus. “I started from Pathanamthitta wearing the helmet because I feared that protesters might pelt stones at the bus. If the windshield shatters, the glass could injure my eyes,” the driver said. He added that there were only seven passengers on board and the journey had to be terminated at Adoor after protesters blocked the road. “I am a daily wage driver; I only get paid if I work. That’s why I came,” he explained.
The shutdown also dealt a severe blow to daily wage earners across Kerala. “This is completely unacceptable. What are the protest leaders trying to achieve with this? We survive on our daily earnings. Without work, we return home empty-handed,” lamented a group of women who came in search of labour but were forced to return.
At the heavily guarded State Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, tensions flared as arguments broke out between protesters and government employees attempting to enter. Only about 15 to 20 per cent of the Secretariat’s 4,700 staff reported for duty. Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak managed to reach his office on time, but the usual activity at the gate was notably absent.
Banks in multiple locations also remained closed, further impacting public services. The weekly Cabinet meeting, typically held on Wednesdays, was postponed to Thursday. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, currently in the United States, is expected to participate via video conferencing.
In another troubling incident near Kollam, a government ayurveda medicine wholesale depot was forced to close after a staff member was chased away by protesters while attempting to ensure medicine distribution for the day.
Supreme Court advocate M.R. Abhilash condemned the actions of the protesters, stating, “No one has the legal right to prevent others from working. What’s happening in Kerala is criminal. The law is clear, yet such forceful tactics are sadly normalised here.”
Even roadside eateries, which are usually spared during strikes, faced closure. “It’s absurd. Protesters allow milk vans to operate, but when that milk reaches tea shops, they stop it from being used. Things are truly bizarre,” said a group of men who were unable to get a cup of tea.
The shutdown has sparked wide-ranging debate over the legality and ethics of enforcing such strikes through coercive means, with many questioning its impact on the common man.
With IANS inputs