JEDDAH, 28 July 2004 — A vast majority of Indians in Jeddah have welcomed the imposition of two million rupees fine each on the Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena by the Bombay High Court. The judgment took note of the economic losses the city suffered because of a daylong shutdown declared by the two parties last year.

“It is a good step that will, hopefully discourage other parties, organizations, associations and unions from imposing their “bullying” tactics on the people and the government in future,” said Mohammed Aqil of Zahid Tractor. “I believe that besides monetary penalties, there should be jail terms for initiators of such disruptive activities. No one has a right to do anything that leads to destruction of government assets and government and private property, and interfere in business and commerce,” he added.

Mohammed Iqbal of Manarat Jeddah International School said it was an encouraging sign that the judiciary is strong and impartial. It is a signal that people cannot get away with their political power and clout. They are accountable and answerable for their actions.

Dr. George Mampilly of Shifa Polyclinic said the decision was good both for the people and the democracy and he felt that shutdowns should be completely banned because they cause a lot of economic damage that the country cannot afford.

“I hope and wish such judgments are given against other parties as well in other states to root out or at least minimize such disruptive tactics that benefit only the parties calling shutdowns,” said Hasmukh Patel, a sales executive.

Aslam Khan Risaldar, senior manager, Hempel Paints, Jeddah, said he thought it was a positive step that would strengthen democratic values and principles.

“The BJP and Shiv Sena should learn a lesson and not take freedom and democracy to the limits where others’ rights to livelihood and property are affected,” he said.

Asad Qureshi, a pharmacist, said that unbridled freedom has been becoming a permanent scene of the body politic in India, with scare tactics and arm-pulling becoming the norm to gain political gains and leverage.

“It is becoming a rule of the mob, and the Bombay High Court decision, coming as it does against two powerful parties and at a time when it is most needed, will go to strengthen democratic roots. It is a bold step and people should encourage courageous judges by their open support,” he added.

Praful Shah, a medical representative, said he believed that BJP and Shiv Sena were better organized and more disciplined parties than any in the country, and he felt that they should use these assets in a more positive way than in shutdowns.

“If they use their capacities in educating the masses properly, they can strengthen India’s democratic framework. Shutdowns are a thing of the past. We are no longer facing foreign rule. We should not use means alien to our culture, tradition, and heritage which all denounce coercion and force in any form,” he added.

He said that the parties should not take the fines as a punishment but as a lesson. Their magnanimity will boost their image much more than fighting it and scoring a point.

Housewives Krishna, Saadia, Khaleda, Neelam, and Fatima said the high court had handed down a just “public interest” judgment.

No one has an idea of how much the housewives are affected by the shutdowns. There are children, the old and the infirm to be taken care of, needing special care, diet and other necessities, which the shutdowns make next to impossible.

They agreed that it was “inhuman to call for such shutdowns and increase the misery of the people at large whereas those at the helm continue their pampered and sheltered life unaffected amid the chaos of suffering.”

They said there are countless men and women who earn wages by the day to feed their families, for whom losing a day’s earning means going hungry.