India protests government’s supermarket reforms

A day-long strike is being joined by Opposition parties and trade unions in India to protest the government’s plan to allow global supermarket chains to join the national retail sector as well as other reforms.

Railway tracks in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar states had been blocked by opposition workers while a key ally of the ruling coalition pulled out of the government in protest of the reforms.

The coalition’s majority in parliament is not considered to be at risk after the nationwide strike was called by the main opposition party Bharatiy Janata Party (BJP), other allies and Communist parties.

As a result public transport has been severely disrupted in many cities while schools and businesses shut down.

Bangalore, the state capital of Karnataka which is ruled by the BJP, was completely shut down after the strike was called by the party.

Business owners claim to have closed their businesses for fear of possible violence or threats. Employees of some companies have been told to remain at home and work on Saturday instead.

Around 50 million people were expected to join the protests in large demonstrations planned to take place in Delhi and other cities.