On August 21, 2024, a significant number of groups and organizations have called for a Bharat Bandh, a nationwide strike, to express their opposition to a recent Supreme Court ruling concerning the reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). This strike is anticipated to impact various services and educational institutions, particularly in states like Rajasthan and Kerala. Authorities have deployed heavy security in areas identified as vulnerable to potential violence and disruptions.
The Reason Behind the Bharat Bandh
The Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, a prominent organization advocating for the protection of reservation policies, has initiated the Bharat Bandh in response to a controversial Supreme Court ruling. This ruling allows for the sub-categorization within SC/ST reservations, a move that has sparked widespread concern among certain social and political groups. These groups argue that the ruling threatens the constitutional rights of SCs and STs, leading them to call for a nationwide strike.
The bandh has garnered substantial support, particularly in Rajasthan, where various social and political organizations have joined the protest. The strike is seen as a crucial moment in the ongoing debate over reservation policies in India.
What is a creamy layer in SC-ST and OBC groups?
The term creamy layer is a term used to describe a sub-section of a backward class or group which is economically, socially and educationally advanced.
Key Demands of the Protesting Groups
The organizations participating in the Bharat Bandh have put forth several key demands, focusing on the preservation and enhancement of reservation policies:
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Rejection of the Supreme Court Ruling: The protesting groups demand that the government reject the Supreme Court's judgment, which they believe undermines the constitutional rights of SCs and STs.
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New Legislation on Reservations: They call for the enactment of a new Act of Parliament that would solidify reservation policies for SCs, STs, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). This legislation should be protected by its inclusion in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, making it immune to judicial review.
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Release of Caste-Based Data: The protesters are pushing for the immediate release of caste-based data on SC/ST/OBC employees in government services. They argue that this data is essential for ensuring accurate representation in government employment.
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Establishment of an Indian Judicial Service: Another major demand is the creation of an Indian Judicial Service, which would aim to recruit judicial officers and judges from all sections of society. The goal is to achieve 50% representation from SC, ST, and OBC categories in the higher judiciary.
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Filling Government Vacancies: The protesting groups insist that the government must fill existing vacancies in central and state government departments, as well as public sector undertakings, to ensure that reservation policies are effectively implemented.
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Affirmative Action in the Private Sector: Finally, the protesters argue that private sector companies benefiting from government incentives or investments should be required to enact affirmative action policies within their firms.
- Samajwadi Party members forced stores to close in Kanpur
Workers from the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party march in favour of the bandh in Kanpur. They also forced the closing of stores.
- Police Action in Patna
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Lathicharge on Protesters: In Patna, Bihar, police lathicharged protesters who were supporting the nationwide Bharat Bandh. The intervention was part of the response to the ongoing protests.
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Policeman mistakenly lathi-charges Patna SDM: In a surprising turn of events, Patna SDM Shrikant Kundlik Khandekar was mistakenly lathicharged by a policeman who confused him for a Bharat Bandh supporter. The SDM was dressed in civil clothes.
- Increased Vigil in Gwalior
Ahead of protest calls by the Bahujan Samaj Party and Bhim Sena, Gwalior officials and police have heightened security. Measures include regular patrols, barricades, and drone surveillance to ensure public safety.
- Road Block Attempts in Bihar
Protesters supporting the Bharat Bandh made several attempts to block roads in Jehanabad, Madhepura, and Muzaffarpur districts. In one instance, five protesters were detained for disrupting traffic on NH-83 near Unta Chowk. They were later removed, and normal traffic flow was restored, according to Sub-Inspector Hulas Baitha.
- The Impact on Services and Education
The Bharat Bandh is expected to disrupt daily life in several regions. Schools and colleges in particular may face operational challenges, with many likely to remain closed. In states such as Rajasthan and Kerala, the protests are expected to be more intense, further affecting educational institutions. Authorities are on high alert, with police forces across various states, especially in Western Uttar Pradesh, prepared to maintain law and order during the strike.
- Are Banks Open Today?
Concerns about the nationwide protests affecting essential services have been raised, particularly regarding the status of banks. Despite the ongoing protests organized by various groups, there has been no official announcement from government or private banks regarding any closures. As of now, banks across the country are expected to remain open, with no confirmation of a holiday due to the protests.
- Essential and Emergency Services to Remain Unaffected
Despite the widespread support for the Bharat Bandh, essential and emergency services are expected to continue operating as usual. Key services that will remain unaffected include:
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Emergency Services: Hospitals, ambulances, and pharmacies will remain open, ensuring that medical services are available to those in need.
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Police Services: Law enforcement agencies will be fully operational, with a focus on maintaining public safety and order during the protests.
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Essential Utilities: Services such as electricity, water, and sanitation are expected to function normally, minimizing the impact on daily life for the general public.
- Dalit and Adivasi Organizations Call for Bharat Bandh
Several Dalit and Adivasi organizations have called for a nationwide shutdown, or ‘Bharat Bandh,’ on Wednesday. The primary goal of this bandh is to advocate for stronger representation and protection of marginalized communities. The National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACDAOR) has spearheaded this movement, presenting a list of demands aimed at achieving justice and equity for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
- Ongoing Protests by Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti
In alignment with the Bharat Bandh, members of the ‘Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti’ have taken to the streets in Patna on Wednesday, August 21. The group is actively protesting in support of the bandh, emphasizing the need to preserve and protect reservation policies for marginalized communities.
- Supreme Court's Directive on SC-ST Reservation Policy
In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court on Thursday directed state governments to identify and exclude individuals belonging to the "creamy layer" within the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) from availing reservation benefits. This decision aims to ensure that the benefits of affirmative action reach those who are most in need, rather than those who may already be relatively privileged within these communities.
- Who Initiated the August 21 Nationwide Shutdown?
The Bharat Bandh on August 21 was called by various organizations committed to the welfare of SC and ST communities. The Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, primarily supported by SC/ST groups from Rajasthan, has been at the forefront of this protest. The movement has garnered widespread support from other Dalit and Adivasi organizations across the country. Notably, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) had also expressed its support for the shutdown, further bolstering the protest's momentum.
- Train stopped in Bihar
Darbhanga-Delhi Bihar Sampark Express train has been stopped at the Darbhanga railway station by protesters.
- Protests in Odisha: Rail and Road Communications Disrupted
The Bharat Bandh, called by various Dalit and Adivasi groups in response to the Supreme Court's recent verdict on the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SCs), had a significant impact on rail and road transportation across Odisha on Wednesday. While the bandh partially affected communications, essential services such as government offices, banks, businesses, and educational institutions continued their operations without interruption.
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Government Precautions: The Odisha Home Department, in a note issued on Tuesday, advised officers and employees working in the state secretariat and heads of departments to reach their offices by 9:30 AM. This was part of a broader strategy to ensure that essential state functions remained unaffected by the bandh.
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Security Measures: In anticipation of potential disruptions, security was intensified at key locations, including the state secretariat and various department headquarters.
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Protest Actions: Protestors took to the streets, detaining trains at Bhubaneswar and Sambalpur and blocking several roads, including national highways. Passenger buses were also halted on different routes, further affecting transportation within the state.
- Minimal Impact in Uttar Pradesh: A Mixed Response
The call for Bharat Bandh saw varied responses across different regions of Uttar Pradesh, with some areas reporting minimal disruption.
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Prayagraj and Neighboring Districts: In Prayagraj and surrounding districts, the bandh had little impact on daily activities. However, in the afternoon, members of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and various Dalit organizations planned to march and submit a memorandum to district officials.
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Meerut and Neighboring Districts: Similar to Prayagraj, the bandh had a minimal effect in Meerut and its neighboring areas. Opposition parties and Dalit groups were expected to hold a march later in the day.
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Eastern Uttar Pradesh: The bandh had the least impact in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, including Varanasi. BSP members were anticipated to carry out a march in the afternoon to voice their concerns.
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Security Measures in Firozabad: In Firozabad's Jasrana town, a police force was deployed to monitor the situation closely. The authorities aimed to prevent any attempts by protestors to forcibly close down local businesses.
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Etah: Scooter Rally in Support of Bharat Bandh: In Etah, Uttar Pradesh, the bandh was marked by a scooter and motorcycle rally organized in the Aliganj area. This rally was a show of support for the Bharat Bandh, with participants riding through the streets to express solidarity with the cause.
- Jharkhand: Bus Services Suspended Amid Protests
The Bharat Bandh significantly disrupted transportation services in Jharkhand, particularly in the capital city, Ranchi.
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Ranchi: Private bus services were suspended in Ranchi as a precautionary measure in light of the ongoing protests. The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) had publicly expressed its support for the bandh, which likely contributed to the widespread suspension of services.
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Statewide Impact: The operation of bus services between different cities in Jharkhand was also affected. Visuals shared by news agencies depicted an isolated Kanta Toli Bus Stand, underscoring the bandh's impact on intercity travel.
- Bihar: Widespread Road Blockades and Disruptions
In Bihar, the Bharat Bandh resulted in significant road blockades and transportation disruptions, particularly in the southern and central regions.
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Jehanabad: In Jehanabad, supporters of the Bharat Bandh, particularly from the Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, blocked the National Highway 83 in the Unta region. This blockade was part of a broader protest against the Supreme Court's ruling on reservation policies.
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Sheikhpura: In Sheikhpura, members of the Bhim Sena were seen blocking roads, further intensifying the impact of the nationwide bandh.
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Widespread Road Blockades: Across various cities in Bihar, roads were blocked by protestors in a show of support for the Bharat Bandh. These blockades were a coordinated effort by multiple organizations advocating for the rights and welfare of SC-ST groups.
- No Impact in Assam
On Wednesday, the Bharat Bandh called for community-based reservation had no effect in Assam. Schools, offices, and businesses operated normally with full attendance across the state. Vehicular traffic and long-distance bus services ran on schedule, and railway services were unaffected.
The Bharat Bandh, a nationwide protest against the recent Supreme Court ruling on reservation policies, has garnered significant political attention and support.
- Akhilesh Yadav's Support
Akhilesh Yadav, Chief of the Samajwadi Party, has expressed his support for the Bharat Bandh. On Wednesday, Yadav described the movement as a positive effort to safeguard reservations. He emphasized that the protest aims to foster awareness among marginalized communities and act as a defense against any modifications to reservation policies. Yadav, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), asserted:
"The mass movement to protect reservations is a positive effort. It will instill new consciousness among the exploited and deprived and will prove to be a shield of people's power against any kind of tampering with reservation. Peaceful movement is a democratic right.”
- Mayawati's Call for Constitutional Amendment
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has also voiced its support for the Bharat Bandh scheduled for August 21. This protest has been organized by Dalit and Adivasi groups in response to the Supreme Court’s recent verdict affecting reservation policies. The BSP's support underscores the party's stance on defending reservation rights and advocating for community-specific measures.
Mayawati, former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, has rallied in favor of the Bharat Bandh. In her statement, Mayawati urged the central government to amend the Constitution to revert to the previous reservation system for SC-ST communities. Her appeal highlights her concern over the Supreme Court's decision dated August 1, 2024. Mayawati’s remarks include:
“The Centre should take action to amend the Constitution to restore the earlier reservation system for SC-ST against the Supreme Court's decision of August 1, 2024. These communities have called for a 'Bharat Bandh' tomorrow, and I appeal to them to conduct it peacefully, without any violence.”
- NACDAOR's Demands
The National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACDAOR) has put forth specific demands in light of the recent Supreme Court ruling. The organization is calling for:
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Immediate release of caste-based data on SC/ST/OBC employees within government services.
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Establishment of an Indian Judicial Service to ensure fair representation across all societal sections, aiming for 50% representation from SC, ST, and OBC categories in the higher judiciary.
- Support from Other Political Parties
Several other political entities have joined the chorus of support for the Bharat Bandh. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress, and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have all extended their backing to the nationwide protest against the Supreme Court’s verdict on SC reservations. This collective support underscores a broader political consensus on defending reservation policies.
- Union Government's Position
The Union government has addressed the Supreme Court’s ruling with a distinct stance. According to Minister Vaishnaw, the government has no plans to implement the Supreme Court’s recommendation for a creamy layer within SC/ST reservation benefits. The official statement reflects:
“The Union Cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi discussed the Supreme Court's suggestion regarding reservations. The Cabinet is of the opinion that the NDA government will adhere to the provisions of the Constitution drafted by Baba Saheb Ambedkar. The Constitution does not provide for a creamy layer within reservations for SCs and STs.”
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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