Mumbai: The nation-wide bandh call given by VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) to protest the arrest of Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi began at the stroke of midnight (Nov 22, 2004) in Mumbai.

The daylong bandh has been called by the VHP to "give vent to the feelings of Hindus over the unjust arrest of the Kanchi Seer", VHP Maharashtra general secretary Vynkatesh Abdeo told.

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Meanwhile adequate security arrangements have been made by authorities to tackle the bandh.

The VHP leader said essential services have been spared from the bandh.

Vidarbha, where VHP has already organised a bandh, will not participate in the agitation, Abdeo clarified.

Ahead of the bandh, BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) president L K Advani asked the partymen "not to be apologetic or defensive about the party's ideology".

Shiv Sena had refused to comment on the VHP's bandh call, putting a question mark on the success of the agitation in the metropolis.