GST: Textile traders in a bind; regional cinemas' prospects dim

Protests were reported from Surat, too, where the police had to resort to a baton charge

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency was virtually shut down on Monday. 

Weavers and those involved in making the famous Banarasi sari went on indefinite strike to protest the 5 per cent goods and services tax (GST) on the product.

The Banarasi Vastra Udyog Sangh, the umbrella organisation of Banarasi sari producers and traders, is affiliated to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Textile traders all over India hit the streets to protest the indirect tax.

Protests were reported from Surat, too, where police had to resort to a baton charge after textile traders allegedly threw stones at policemen, a senior official said. “We