NEW DELHI – In India, nationwide protests are being held against recordhigh petrol and diesel prices.

The protests have shut down businesses, government offices and schools inmany parts of the country after protesters blocked trains and roads andvandalized vehicles.

The opposition parties banded together to organize their first protestaction in a joint campaign to stir discontent with Prime Minister NarendraModi’s Hindu nationalist government.

The main opposition Congress party said on Twitter that past governmentshave usually lowered taxes whenever international oil prices shot up, butModi’s administration has made little concession so far.