The word hartal is Gujarati, which means strike.
The term strike was first coined in India. In the 1920s and 1930s, strikes added a new dimension to Indian politics. It is believed to be Mahatma Gandhi’s first call against the British.
The strike is always called by the opposition parties of the ruling government parties, besides the left-wing parties, student-conscious groups, non-political parties or organizations formed by farmers, labourers, day labourers, etc. The reason for calling the strike is the increase in the price of the country’s commodities, the increase in the price of fuel, corruption in the name of development, the ruling government sitting in the chair of power despite the failure to run the country, etc.
The biggest tool of the strike is the voice of the strikers. Usually, they go out on the streets and shout and present their demands in public or in front of the media. However, banners, festoons, posters, etc., are often used in processions. In this concept, marching is a very big tool of strike.
When the common people go on strike to demand their demands, they are often involved in massive arson, vandalism, and clashes with the administration. On the one hand, the strike raised a loud voice against the country’s irregularities, and on the other hand, millions of taka were lost in a few days of strike.
Strikes are not legal instruments in any legitimate country. Because of this, in 2011, mobile courts were set up to crack down on strikers or instigators of anarchy. Riots can never bring good to the country except riots. In the name of a strike, we should be aware beforehand that if necessary, we will strike through a peaceful march or by resorting to law and maintaining the country’s peace.