Definitions by ANDY
gherao
Indian name for a cacelorazo or "noisy protest". The specific Indian variant involves noisily confronting and "mobbing" a political or administrative figure. Used mainly as a verb.
dharna
An Indian protest tactic which involves a combined sit-in and fast or hunger-strike (usually not ongoing, and sometimes carried out on a rotating basis). Participants in a dharna sit down in a strategic location, either inside a target building or area (thus amounting to an occupation), or outside some such target, and fast, usually while also chanting and holding placards.
lathi-charge
Term used to describe a mode of attack favoured by Indian cops when attacking protesters. Basically the same as a baton-charge, but using long sticks known as lathis. In a lathi-charge, pigs run at a crowd and start randomly beating the nearest people with five-foot-long bamboo rods.
The roadblock lasted for three hours before police used tear gas and lathi-charge to break it up. Protesters later regrouped outside the police headquarters to continue their agitation.
lathi-charge by Andy February 7, 2005
cacelorazo
A mode of protest made famous during the Argentinazo in late 2001. It involves protesters making noise by banging pots, pans and other utensils (originally to symbolise hunger). It can be used either to disrupt through making a noise, or simply to draw attention. Since the Argentinazo, it has become popular across Latin America and beyond, and has been used by European anti-capitalists among others.
A similar protest tactic in India is known by the name gherao.
A similar protest tactic in India is known by the name gherao.
cacelorazo by Andy February 7, 2005
bandh
A type of protest mobilisation commonly used in India. A bandh is a combination of a strike and a shutdown/blockade. Participants refrain from economic activity and usually set up roadblocks to "enforce" the bandh and as a kind of rally.
Bandhs may be called by any kind of organisation, not only trade unions or work-related groups - for instance, political parties, human rights groups, campaigning groups, women's groups, youth groups, etc, often call bandhs to protest various issues. They are usually regional rather than sectoral. Bandhs vary in duration from hour-long shutdowns to "indefinite" bandhs which can go on for months.
Bandhs may be called by any kind of organisation, not only trade unions or work-related groups - for instance, political parties, human rights groups, campaigning groups, women's groups, youth groups, etc, often call bandhs to protest various issues. They are usually regional rather than sectoral. Bandhs vary in duration from hour-long shutdowns to "indefinite" bandhs which can go on for months.
In support of a three-day bandh called by a coalition of 32 groups calling for repeal of anti-terrorism laws which have led to human rights violations, protesters shut down most of central Imphal. Women and youths blocked roads with logs and burning tyres before being lathi-charged by police.
Accusing the local government of corruption, Congress supporters observed a four-hour bandh yesterday.
Protesting the arrest of a prominent Hindu seer, Shiv Sena have launched a bandh call across Uttar Pradesh.
Accusing the local government of corruption, Congress supporters observed a four-hour bandh yesterday.
Protesting the arrest of a prominent Hindu seer, Shiv Sena have launched a bandh call across Uttar Pradesh.