National Strike Roils India

Indians took to the streets on Thursday to protest economic reforms, leaving many businesses and civic institutions in some parts of the country dark. The demonstrations were organized in response to a government decision to raise the price of diesel, as well as to allow foreign supermarkets to begin to invest in the massive Indian market. Protesters said that the measures, which were enacted by the government led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, threatened the financial security of lower and middle class workers. Many of the protests Thursday were organized by the Bharatiya Janata Party, the main opposition party.