Lukewarm response to bandh call

The nationwide bandh called by traders against proposed FDI in multi-brand retail evoked a mixed response in the Capital on Thursday. Some market associations stayed away from the protest; neighbourhood shops by and large remained open in most parts of the city.u00a0

However, a number of big markets like Karol Bagh, Sadar Bazar, Kamla Nagar, Chawri Bazar, Kashmere Gate, Tilak Nagar, Rohini, Krishna Nagar and Greater Kailash M Block remained shut on Thursday. Sarojini Nagar and INA markets though functioned as usual.u00a0

Confederation of All India Traders' (CAIT) Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal claimed traders across the country participated in the agitation. "Around five crore traders belonging to 10,000 traders' bodies across the country are participating in the bandh. And I would call it a successful bandh," he said.u00a0

BJP also joined the traders' protest by organising marches and burning Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit in effigy in several parts of the city.u00a0Some market associations who remained open to business on Thursday were of the view that FDI may not be dangerous for traders.u00a0

"We were never informed about this protest. We came to know from newspapers. Also, we don't fully support the view that FDI in retail is dangerous. We don't know the benefits and ill-effects," Ashok Randhava, president of Sarojini Nagar Mini Market Association, where shops were open.u00a0