Over 60 vehicles were set on fire, nearly 20 people were left injured in Noida, and one trade union leader was killed in Ambala, Haryana, on Wednesday as the first day of the two-day nationwide strike called by trade unions turned violent in many parts of the country. Without taking into account the thousands of crores wasted due to the two-day lockdown, the harassment for the general people is immense as public transport went for a toss and banking and other core services were hit.

Amid all the brouhaha, West Bengal Mamata Banerjee has said that her party, the Trinamool Congress, will “request the election commission that for public interest they should ban political parties which convene a bandh”. While the statement drew sharp criticism from the Left parties, and even the West Bengal Congress leaders for being “unconstitutional” and “anti-democratic”, should the election commission start toying with the idea? Are strikes and shutdowns a relevant mode of protest in this time and age? Should political parties stop foisting it on people, and if they fail to do so, should they be forced to desist? What’s your take?