THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Only strikes are taking place in the state and not hartals, said CPM State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. He also criticized the court’s order barring government employees’ strike.

‘Employees cannot surrender their rights to strike. This not only affects the national strike. With this, the right to strike against future issues regarding pay hikes and benefits are also being lost. The court order will have far-reaching consequences’, Kodiyeri criticized.

‘Earlier, the high court banned bandhs. Later, it banned hartals. Now, it has issued orders banning government employees’ strikes. This is a challenge to the very democratic system. There should be no reaction. The court’s voice is that of the emergency, that is to shut your mouth and work. The judiciary should be willing to reconsider such positions. The changes that we see in our state today came after many struggles and strikes. If shops are opened, there is no need to shut them forcefully. However, traders should also avoid provoking the protesters’, he said.