The Trinamool Congress has urged left-backed trade unions to exclude Tripura from the upcoming Bharat Bandh scheduled for July 9, citing the religious and cultural significance of the ongoing Kharchi Puja.
The nationwide strike, called by various left-leaning trade unions to support their 17-point charter of demands, falls on the concluding day of the Kharchi festival — a major religious event in Tripura. The bandh is likely to disrupt transportation and public mobility, potentially affecting thousands of devotees planning to visit the Chaturdash Devata Temple.
In an official statement on Friday, Shantanu Saha, President of the Trinamool Youth Congress in Tripura, appealed to union leaders to be sensitive to local sentiments. “Kharchi Puja is more than just a festival; it’s an integral part of Tripura’s cultural identity. If transport services are halted due to the bandh, many may miss the opportunity to offer prayers at the Chaturdash Devata Mandir on the final and most important day,” he said.
Saha emphasized that political objectives should not come at the cost of cultural and religious traditions. “It would be deeply unfortunate if the unique situation in Tripura is overlooked. We urge the union leaders to reconsider their stance in light of the festival,” he added.
The Kharchi festival, held annually at the historic temple near Agartala, draws thousands of devotees from across Tripura and nearby regions. The concluding day typically witnesses the largest turnout, with rituals and offerings made to the fourteen deities worshipped during the event.
While the Bharat Bandh aims to highlight critical national issues like labor rights, rising inflation, and privatization, the Trinamool Congress believes enforcing the strike on this day could create unnecessary friction and alienate local communities.
As of now, the left trade unions have not issued a response to the appeal. It remains to be seen whether an exception will be granted for Tripura in the lead-up to July 9.