Closure of shops and workers not reporting for duties spontaneously should not be construed as breakdown of constitution in Tamil Nadu, Pattali Makkal Katchi founder Dr S Ramadoss said in Chennai on Monday.
In democracy, peaceful agitations and expressing opposition in a peaceful way were basic rights and in such circumstances, there should be a consensus on banning bandhs and general strikes in the country after a public debate, he said in a statement.
When the Supreme Court banned Monday's bandh called by Democratic Progressive Alliance at the last minute on
Sunday, the agitation was converted as fast, in which people from all walks of life participated in a big way.
Shop owners downed their shutters and workers did not report for duty on their own, which had clearly proved that people wanted early completion of the Sethu Samudram Shipping Canal Project, he said.
This should not be construed as a break down of constitution, he said.
Obeying court orders was a general principle and there could be no difference of opinion on this, he said, adding that however, it should not be made applicable selectively.