Price Protests Paralyze Bombay

Demonstrators rallied across India today in a “people’s war” against “pro-rich” price increases that hampered commerce in much of the nation and paralyzed Bombay, its financial, film and shipping center.

Although no major violence was reported, the rallies attended by opposition workers, housewives and union members were the first major protest against Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s economic policies. More than 7,000 people were arrested nationwide for picketing and obstructing traffic.