Kerala Home Minister, Ramesh Chennithala's Facebook post on a proposed anti-shutdown law has recieved a lot of support.
In a state where shutdowns have always been an integral part of politics, Kerala Home Minister, Ramesh Chennithala's Facebook post for a proposed anti-shutdown legislation seems to have struck a chord with the common man, his post got over 30,000 likes in just over two days.
"This huge response shows people are fed up of shutdowns in a state where it has been used way too often as a political weapon by every party. I have received numerous posts against it," claimed Mr Chennithala.
The state government intends to propose an anti-shutdown legislation next year, and has sought responses from the people on it.
Many suggestions have been coming in as well, varying from police action against those who force people to stay off work, to political parties being made liable for paying compensation for common man's loss. One of them even suggested that media should be banned from spreading word about the 'call for shutdowns'.
Though he may have got likes on Facebook, but it hasn't helped him make political friends.
"This is just minister's publicity stunt. No government can force others against protest. Ministers should refrain from speculative announcements," slammed BJP state president, V Muraleedharan.
CPI (M) youth wing, Students' Federation of India, which enjoys a formidable presence across Kerala dismissed it as a political gimmick. State president, S Biju said, "Congress has several times in the past also made hyped comments about this, but then within days has hosted or joined in a shutdown in the state."
But the move has been welcomed by the corporate world.
Founder CEO of Technopark, G Vijayaraghavan said, "It will be a big boost to investments within Kerala in the future. When we established Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram, we ensured that it was accommodated within essential services Act."
According to the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) estimates, the economy suffers a loss of almost Rs 900 crore in one day of shutdown.