Hartal

Hartal 

in India, the cessation of all business activity as a sign of protest. During the national liberation movement in India the hartal took the form of a general strike involving workers, the urban middle classes, merchants, students, and schoolchildren. The hartal may include meetings and protest demonstrations. From 1918 to 1947 it was a fundamental tactic in the National Congress’ campaign of noncooperation with the colonial authorities. Since India achieved independence in 1947, the hartal has sometimes been used by various political parties as a method of political struggle.