March 22, 2025, marked a day of standstill in Ranchi as the Sirmatoli Bachao Morcha organized a major protest, leading to a citywide bandh. This move was fueled by the demand to dismantle the controversial Sirmatoli flyover ramp, perceived as a threat to the culturally significant Sarna site and the traditional Sarhul procession.
From the early hours of 6 AM, chakka jams were strategically placed at key intersections, bringing routine traffic to a grinding halt. The disruptions were slated to continue throughout the day, dissipating only by midnight. However, conscious steps were taken to ensure that essential services, including exam candidates, ambulances, and pharmacies, remained operational without hindrance.
In a bid to amplify the protest's impact, the Morcha reached out to various community groups and business forums for support. Letters advocating participation were dispatched to stakeholders such as the Jharkhand Chamber, transport unions, and shopkeepers' associations. Even cultural and occupational groups including Anjuman Islamia and the Auto Rickshaw Drivers Association were contacted to lend their solidarity to the cause.
The protest underscored a clash between developmental infrastructure and cultural preservation, engaging the community at multiple levels. Security forces were on high alert with a significant presence at pivotal locations like Hinu Chowk, where traffic movement was significantly affected. This deployment was, in part, to mitigate any potential escalation and to ensure public safety.
An additional layer of tension arose as the bandh coincided with the preparation phase for the RTS exam scheduled for the subsequent day, March 23. Concerns loomed large over the potential transportation chaos faced by candidates needing to access their exam venues. While exemptions were in place to ease their journey, the specter of delays and unforeseen obstacles was a source of worry for many aspirants and their families.
As the day unfolded, Ranchi found itself at the epicenter of a crucial dialogue concerning urban development versus cultural heritage, with the bandh spotlighting the broader socio-political dynamics at play.
