Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), parent body of transport unions, has decided to suspend its proposed agitation in support of the nationwide bandh on February 21 out of concern for the 13 lakh students who will be appearing for HSC exams across the state.

Central Trade Unions, Organisations, Federations (CTUOF) had earlier declared a Bharat band to protest against various issues such as increasing inflation, unemployment, contract system on February 20 and 21.

HMS president Sharad Rao also announced that he will also be suspending the next two proposed agitations of the auto rickshaw union till the time all exams get over.

“If the public transport facility is not available, students will not able to reach the examination centres on time and this could result in the loss of an academic year to them. Therefore we have decided to suspend our agitations on February 21,” said Rao.

Rao clarified that HMS was unaware of the HSC examination schedule, when it had planned the bandh. However, he clarified that auto and taxi drivers will be participating in the bandh on February 20 and that trains would also be stopped on that day. HMS appealed to all its members working in state transport and other industries to refrain from participating in the bandh on February 21. Rao also added that there has been no any change in the two days bandh and it would take place as planned out of Mumbai and Maharashtra.

However, other auto rickshaw and taxi unions including Mumbai Taximens Union have already announced that they won’t take part in the Bharat bandh.