What's a "bandh"?

Starting Friday we were hearing that word form time to time and numerous times saw it in the newspapers without much idea what it meant. Since it was associated with the major political party in this area we thought it might be a rally of some sort. We learned that it is supposed to occur Monday, July 5. We also read that there is a rally today, so it is not that. It started to sound like a strike of some sort - in protest over rising fuel prices - or rising prices in general. Today we had a very nice lunch at a very nice restaurant with our friend Linn, who is returning to the US in a few more days. After we left the restaurant we walked to a very modern shopping complex where about 20 workmen were in the process of hanging enormous nets from the top of the building. We thought they might be for protection of passersby from falling debris from repair work. However, Linn said that they are to protect the buildings from stones hurled by crowds of people who might walk by during the bandh smashing whatever is in the area. So, while it sounds like the intent is for it to be a protest strike, it might be more like a riot. We shall see.