The nationwide bandh called by the BJP led NDA, Left parties, TDP and Samajwadi Party to protest diesel price hike and FDI in multi-brand retail today evoked mixed response. Due to the bandh normal life was disrupted in some states and top leaders of the various parties courted arrest. Protesters blocked trains and road traffic in many areas in Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and other places and staged demonstrations. However, no major untoward incident was reported from anywhere. While in Delhi most of the markets, private schools remained closed and traffic was disrupted at some places.

SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Left leaders Prakash Karat and A B Bardhan courted arrest here after holding a joint demonstration at Jantar Mantar. A protest rally in support of bandh was addressed by NDA Convenor Sharad Yadav and BJP President Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi. The bandh also evoked little response in the country's commercial hub Mumbai owing to Ganesh festivities across Maharashtra.

Terming today's bandh as successful, the BJP reiterated its demand for roll back of recent diesel price hike, capping supply of LPG cylinder and bringing FDI in retail trade Talking to reporters in New Delhi the BJP President Nitin Gadkari today said that the government's move will largely impact the common man and small traders will lose their jobs by allowing FDI in retail.

CPI(M) today termed the today’s bandh a successful one. In a Polit Bureau statement issued in New Delhi, the party has reiterated its demand of roll back of government's decision. The party said the struggle against these decisions should be intensified in the coming days.

On the other hand, criticising the bandh, the Finance Minister Mr P. Chidambaram today expressed serious objection over the manner in which protests and bandhs are being held in a way causing economic losses and public inconvience. Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Mr Chidambaram said, the government is stable.

Industry bodies like Assocham and CII said that today's Bharat Bandh would have caused losses ranging between 10,000 to 12,500 crore rupees to the economy. In a statement, the Assocham said that the political parties should support economic reforms. While CII expressed the hope that political parties would work to ensure that the economic reforms that are necessary for India are carried out.