Voluntary shutdown in Mumbai Monday

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Trade associations in Mumbai and Maharashtra have called for a voluntary shutdown Monday as a mark of respect for Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray, who passed away Saturday afternoon.

A statement by the Federation of Associations of Maharashtra (FAM) called upon the trading community to observe the shutdown and observe 'Shraddhanjali Day' Monday.

"The state of Maharashtra and the trading community has lost a true friend and a well-wisher. Balasaheb was a great son of the soil and a true nationalist who minced no words to express his views," said FAM president Mohan Gurnani.

The retails and wholesale jewellery market - Zaveri Bazar - and all other jewellery units will also remain shut Monday.

Shiv Sena, however, denied having called a shutdown. "The shutdown call is purely voluntary. We have not called for any kind of shutdown," party spokesperson Anil Parab told IANS.

Auto rickshaws and taxis might ply.

All educational institutions, including schools and colleges, will also remain closed on Monday owing to the call given by various bus owners' associations of the city and state.

Public transport including city buses and local trains will ply as usual throughout the city and state.