Bowing to the Supreme Court verdict against the Monday bundh called by the DMK and its allies in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi announced on Sunday that the front would instead observe a State-wide fast.
The bundh was called to press for speedy implementation of the Sethusamudram project.

Karunanidhi was reacting to the apex court verdict on a special leave petition filed by the AIADMK against the interim order of the Madras High Court which allowed the bandh but asked the State to ensure that it is voluntary and normal life is not affected.

Mr Karunanidhi said the fast would be in protest, not against the court ruling, but against “Nandis” (a reference to bulls in Shiva temples which obstruct the view of the deity) which he said were putting spokes in the wheel.
He said leaders of the DMK and its allies like the Congress, the PMK, the CPM and the CPI would observe a day-long fast in front of the State guest house in Chennai.

Not unanimous
Similar fasts would be observed in all district headquarters. Following the high court’s interim order, the Southern Railway also announced that trains, including suburban services, would run as per schedule. Unlike on other occasions, the bundh call did not receive unanimous support.