abstract:Hartal ( hôrtal, haṛtāl, haṛtāl, Malayalam: ഹര്ത്താല്) is a term in many South Asian languages for strike action, first used during the Indian Independence Movement. It is mass protest often involving a total shutdown of workplaces, offices, shops, courts of law as a form of civil disobedience.
Significantly, the Pakistan-backed All-Party Hurriyat Conference, a group of 23 Kashmir-based parties with separatist roots, did not greet Mr Kalam with the day-long hartal (strike) they usually call when Indian leaders visit.