Tamil Nadu Declares Public Holiday on March 31 to Coincide with Bandh

Source: The Hindu. The Tamil Nadu State Government has declared March 31 a public holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act for all State Government offices, public undertakings including the State Transport Corporations and industrial establishments. Airlines and Railways have been advised to reschedule their services on March 31 so that there is no movement between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. anywhere in the State, and Indian Airlines announced cancellation of all its flights.

Analysis: This public holiday is in fact an attempt by the government to preempt the bandh organized for the same day, protesting against a recent Supreme Court decision. The government is saying, in effect, that if there is going to be a general strike, then the government might as well declare a public holiday.