Preface: Although the Constitution confers upon its subjects the right to express dissent towards the enactment of governmental policy and decisions, the methods in which the articulation of this disagreement can be articulated is fairly limited to methods such as peaceful picketing, protest marches to demonstrate solidarity and access to the print and social media platforms.
The call for a nationwide bandh by a disadvantaged group of agricultural farmers could represent a growing extent of disapproval by the affected citizens owing to the ruling Government not paying heed to the requirements of a certain group of people who apprehend that their needs being neglected by the governance machinery prevailing in the country.
The validity and constitutionality calling for a bandh may be adjudged by the honourable Judicial authorities either upon the motion of the Government or even suo motu on their own.
Introduction: In the instant scenario, what is necessary is to form an understanding about is the measures that a road user needs to observe in order to safely commute on the roads during the progress of a bandh. In the scenario of a bandh being declared, it could be reasonably presumed that certain factions of the affected group would be determined to enforce the bandh by not allowing the vehicles to ply on the road and this immobilisation in turn would eventually affect the travel and transportation arrangements of the road users who need to travel for their essential works and duties.
Safe Practices by Motorised Road Users: With respect to the motorised road users, the driver of the vehicle could ensure the safety of himself and the vulnerable road users by strictly observing precautionary measures strictly: Right of way to the pedestrians, precedence to be given to the vehicles coming up the slope at the cross-intersections, lowering of the average speed etc.
Safety Measures to be observed by the Passengers: Keeping the vehicle windows rolled up, locking the doors of the vehicle, all passengers to wear seatbelts including the driver, lowering the volume of the car audio system to improve attention to the road signs, using dipped lights while driving at night, braking the vehicle slowly in bringing it to a halt, ensuring enough fuel has been maintained in the tank etc.
Safety of Protestors (Vulnerable Road Users): Now, from the point of view of having ensured the safety of protesting demonstrators found on the road during a bandh. It needs to be borne in mind that a demonstrator is also a vulnerable road user and can be subject to injury and crashes by the motorised road users if encountered in a state of panic and surprise. Therefore it becomes imminent to follow these principles to ensure safety of both road users: keeping calm upon encountering the defiant protestor, slowing down the vehicle far enough from the gathering of the demonstrating group of people, making a mental note of all the possible exits that are marked on the highway, refraining from arguing with the demonstrators from your vehicle, avoiding eye contact with the protestors, covering idols and religious symbols in your vehicle with an opaque material so as to prevent any discrimination.
