India strike over supermarket reforms

Opposition parties and trade unions in India are joining a day-long strike over the government’s plan to open the retail sector to global supermarket chains and other reforms. Early reports said that opposition workers had blocked railway tracks in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar states, according to the (BBC). A key ally of the ruling coalition has pulled out of the government in protest at the plan. Thursday’s nationwide strike, called by the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), its allies and Communist parties, has shut down schools, businesses and public transport in many cities. The Confederation of All India Traders said 50 million people were expected to participate in the protests, and that large demonstrations were planned in Delhi and other cities.