A significant part of Western Uttar Pradesh came to a standstill on Wednesday as a massive bandh, or shutdown, was observed across numerous districts. The protest was called to amplify a long-standing demand for the establishment of a separate bench of the Allahabad High Court in the western region of the state.
Markets, Schools, and Hospitals Join Historic Shutdown
The impact of the agitation was widespread and profound. In key cities like Meerut, Bulandshahr, Amroha, Hapur, and Muzaffarnagar, markets downed their shutters and commercial establishments remained closed. Schools and the Outpatient Departments (OPDs) of hospitals also joined the bandh, showing solidarity with the movement. The call for the shutdown received robust support from various trade organisations and the Indian Medical Association, marking a rare convergence of different sections of society.
In Meerut, the epicenter of the agitation, all major markets remained closed. Over 40 teams of advocates fanned out across different localities to engage with the public and explain the rationale behind the protest. Agitators gathered at major road crossings, raising slogans to draw attention to their cause.
A Demand Pending for Over Half a Century
Leaders of the movement emphasized that this is not a new issue. Sanjay Sharma, President of the Meerut Bar Association and the Central Action Committee for the HC Bench, stated that the demand has been pending for more than 50 years. "After a long time, many associations came out to support this demand," he said, highlighting the unified nature of the current protest. He confirmed that more than 20 districts of western UP actively participated in the bandh.
The historical context of the demand is deep-rooted. The first official request for a High Court bench in Western UP was made as far back as 1955 during the tenure of Chief Minister Dr. Sampurnanand. The proposal was revisited by the state government in 1976 to establish a bench in Meerut, and again in 1978, 1979, and 1981. A major recommendation came from the Jaswant Singh Commission in 1985, which explicitly advised setting up a bench for Western UP. Despite these repeated efforts, no concrete action has been taken on the ground.
The Core Issue: Distance, Cost, and Injustice
Advocates and citizens argue that the immense geographical distance from the existing High Court in Prayagraj (Allahabad) creates a severe hardship. Sanjay Kansal, President of the Hapur Bar Association, provided a stark perspective. "Most of the western UP districts are about 600 to 800 km from the Allahabad high court," he explained. "A litigant has to travel all the way, spending a huge amount of money and time."
He pointed out a striking anomaly: High Courts of several other states in north India are geographically closer to Western UP than their own state's High Court. Ironically, the Supreme Court in New Delhi is merely 70 km away from some parts of the region. This disparity is at the heart of what protesters call an injustice to the people of Western UP.
Police Alert and Traders' Warning
During the bandh, district administrations and police forces across the affected regions remained on high alert. Police personnel were strategically deployed in sensitive areas to prevent any untoward incidents and maintain law and order. While some shops partially opened in a few areas by the afternoon, the shutdown's effect was palpable in commercial hubs like Ansari Road and Chowk Bazaar in Bulandshahr until evening.
The traders' bodies have issued a clear warning. They have stated that if a prompt and favorable decision is not taken by the authorities regarding their demand, the current agitation will be intensified and expanded across the entire state. This bandh, therefore, serves as a potent demonstration of the growing public consensus and the urgency felt by the residents of Western Uttar Pradesh for accessible justice.
