Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai (SHP)

Mumbai, Jan 24: Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi has called for Maharashtra bandh on Friday to protest against CAA and NRC. However, Ambedkar has stated that the bandh will not have any major impact in the city.

Addressing a press conference, Ambedkar claimed that BJP was the cause for the economic crisis in the country. The Centre's faulty economic policies and its forcible implementation of CAA NRC are creating unrest in the country.

"Everyone should oppose the Union government to move to implement CAA and NRC and extend support to the bandh. Our intention to call a bandh is to make people aware of the country's weak economy," he said.

Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM has supported the call for a bandh. Union leader Shashank Rao said they will not participate in the bandh, but there if there is violence, vehicles should stay away for the safety of drivers.

Prashant Redij, member of Mumbai Principals' Association said, "There are no instructions to keep schools shut. We will decide if there is need to stay to shut only when the situation gets tense."

Police have deployed heavy bandobast across the city. Vinoy Choubey, joint commissioner of police (law & order), said eight SRPF units have been called from outside.