The bandh called by the Sakal Maratha Morcha (SMM) in Thane recently to protest the lathi-charge at Jalna on the Maratha community, saw many auto rickshaws off the roads and shops closed, but there were no untoward incidents. Buses and railway services continued undisrupted. 

Many autos were affected in the morning and shops downed shutters till 5 pm due to fear from damage by SMM members. However, no such incidents took place. If there have to be bandhs and protests that make a statement, they should be done with a focus on the issue and in a non-violent way.