Chennai: The ‘bandh’ called by opposition parties to protest demonetisation had little impact on the city today, as normal life remained unaffected.

It was business as usual at shops, schools, colleges, transport services, private and government organisations, despite the joint call made by opposition parties in New Delhi to hold protests across the country on November 28.

Banks functioned without disruption. However, police protection was given to banks in sensitive areas, and there were fewer people at banks and ATMs.

DMK treasurer MK Stalin led the party’s protest outside the Collector’s office. He said the party supremo M Karunanidhi welcomed the demonetisation. “However, it was done without assessing the after effects it would have on the people, which is the reason for the party’s participation in the protest,” he said. Following the agitation, he was detained by the police along with his supporters. Similarly, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president S Thirunavukkarasar was also arrested during the protest in Anna Salai.

“This protest is a wake-up call for the BJP government to know the plight of the common people. This is just a protest and not a bandh, as almost all the shops were closed right after the announcement of demonetisation,” Thirunavukkarasar said.

Protests were also held outside the SBI branch in Nungambakkam. The leaders of Left parties, G Ramakrishnan (CPI-M) and R Mutharasan(CPI), along with the members of VCK took part in the demonstration in which The Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sankankalin Peravai’s T Vellaiyan also attended. All of them were detained. The supporters also tried to stage a road block following which there was temporary tension outside the bank premises.