Bandhs (closures) have become unavoidable these days. With irreconcilable confrontation between the government and the mainstream political parties on the one hand and escalation of violence by the Maoists on the other, the frequency of bandhs has increased drastically. It seems as though we are competing to register our nation’s name in the Guinness Book of World Records.

This is the season of marriage. It is imperative for such event organisers to be extra-cautious as to whether the day of auspicious ceremony is going to be marred by a bandh or not. People try to avoid Bandh Muhurta (strike moment) at the cost of Shuva Muhurta (auspicious moment). Ditto for other social events and public gatherings.

With our adequate exposure to bandhs, I personally feel that we are coming of age in this type of protest. There are varieties of bandhs, for instance, Nepal Bandh, Kalam Bandh (pen-down), Chakka Jam (transport strike). The shutdown of educational institutions has become a common happening. Many organisations have started scheduling their programmes keeping in view the forthcoming bandhs.

Unlike normal days, city streets wear a forlorn look throughout the bandh, which is best utilised by the kids and youths to play cricket or do skating on the roads. Who cares if the consumers or petty vendors are hit hard? The examinees are the hapless lot who are compelled to crawl up to their exam centres in the absence of transport services.

But there is a fair chunk of people who pray for more bandhs. One of my colleagues gathers information on upcoming bandhs and marks the dates in the calendar accordingly. For the bandh revellers like him, the last minute withdrawal of bandh by the organisers proves to be very irritating. Many employees perceive bandhs as a virtual holiday with no substantial tasks to be carried out even though they happen to present themselves at their offices. For most of these absentees, dawdling the day by playing cards turns out to be the best pastime. On top of it, offices remain a good forum for talkathon as nobody, including men, seems to shy away from indulging in ceaseless gossip. By the way, when’s the next bandh?