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PremiumBharat Bandh 2024 Highlights: Railway and road services were hindered in parts of Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and other states due to the pan-India shutdown today, August 21. Schools, markets, shops, and other services were shut in parts of Rajasthan, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh. Similarly, roads remained deserted as several groups and organisations joined the strike today to oppose the Supreme Court ruling on SC/ST reservations.
Police lathicharged protestors in Bihar's Patna. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, BSP leader Mayawati, and several Congress leader have extended their support to Bharat Bandh taking place today.
Why is Bharat Bandh today?
Several organisations and groups have called for a Bharat Bandh on Wednesday, August 21. The strike is to oppose the Supreme Court's ruling to exclude the “creamy layer" from the SC/ST quota. The move has sparked controversy, leading to the Bharat Bandh on Wednesday.
Supreme Court judgement on SC/ST quota system
The apex court, on August 1, permitted states to have the power to sub-classify SCs and STs while deciding if the class is adequately represented. The Supreme Court also made it clear that the state governments have to make sub-classification based on “quantifiable and demonstrable data" of backwardness and representation in government jobs and not on “whims" and as a matter of “political expediency".
The Supreme Court ruled by a majority judgement of 6:1, that sub-classification within the SCs and STs reservation is permissible. As many as six separate opinions were delivered in the case.
The judgement was delivered by the seven-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, which overruled earlier judgement in the EV Chinnaiah matter, which had held that sub-classification was not permissible because SC/STs form homogenous classes.
Bharat Bandh 2024 LIVE: Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal accused the opposition of spreading misinformation about the Supreme Court's recent judgement on sub-classification within reservation categories for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and on Union Public Service Commission lateral entry advertisements.
"Opposition parties are spreading misinformation. They have also created controversy over the creamy layer issue and lateral entry. The advertisement for lateral entry was withdrawn till input of social justice comes. This means that Modi ji is continuously working for the interests of SC, ST, and OBC communities and will continue to do so in the future," Meghwal told ANI.
Bharat Bandh 2024 LIVE: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale dubbed the agitation announced by the Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti "political" and claimed that the strike was not needed.
“I think everyone has the right to do what they want. The Supreme Court has said that there should be a criterion of creamy layer in the Scheduled Caste reservations. But we all met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he said that the creamy layer wouldn't be implemented in SC reservations. The SC reservation is based on caste, which is given based on the Constitution of Babasaheb Ambedkar. There was no need for Bharat Bandh on this issue. We are all against the creamy layer in SCs and STs, but today's call for Bharat Bandh is political," Athawale told ANI.
Bharat Bandh 2024 LIVE: Patna police registered three FIRs and arrested nine persons for allegedly taking law into their hands during the protests.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Many shops and commercial establishments remained closed in parts of Bastar and Surguja divisions, largely inhabited by tribals, and Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki and Dhamtari districts. The shutdown evoked a mixed response in Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, Rajnandgaon and Korba districts.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: The effects of the bandh were clearly seen in regions dominated by tribal and Dalit communities in districts like Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Surendranagra, Sabarkantha, and Aravalli where markets in cities and semi-urban areas remained closed.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Tight police arrangements were made in the Gwalior district of Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday following a call to action by the Bahujan Samaj Party and Bhim Sena. According to reports the district administration and police remain on alert mode. Police personnel are taking rounds, barricades have been put up and drone cameras are active for the security arrangement in the district.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: The day-long Bharat Bandh called by some groups over community-based reservation had no impact in Assam on Wednesday. Schools, offices and business establishments functioned normally with almost full attendance across the state. Vehicular traffic was normal and long-distance buses operated according to their schedules. There were also no disruptions to railway services.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Vehicular traffic was briefly disrupted in parts of Bihar on Wednesday after protestors put up blockades in support of the Bharat Bandh. They blocked movements of traffic on roads, including some national highways at several locations in Patna, Hajipur, Darbhanga, Jehanabad and Begusarai districts. The agitators also disrupted train movement at Darbhanga and Buxar railway stations.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: During the nationwide shutdown against SC ruling on community-based reservation, BSP workers staged protest in Delhi on Wednesday, reported PTI.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: The protest by supporters of Bharat Bandh was not peaceful as they took law and order in their hands which led to huge inconvenience for the common people, Deputy SP Patna Ashok Kumar Singh told ANI on Wednesday. The police had lathicharged protestors earlier in the day.
“It was not a peaceful protest, they took law and order in their hands...The common people could not travel and we tried to convince them (agitators). But they did not understand. We had to use mild force to move them back," Deputy SP told ANI.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Amid the nationwide Bharat Bandh protests in India on Wednesday, SC and ST organisations held a protest march from Jaipur's Albert Hall against the Supreme Court's order on SC/ST reservation.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Protestors supporting the nationwide shutdown were lathicharge in Patna, Bihar on Wednesday.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Commenting on the ongoing Bharat Bandh, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Wednesday said that the SC's judgement made an observation on creamy layer and it was not a part of the judgement.
“The Supreme Court judgment has two parts - one issue was about creamy layer, the other issue was about sub-categorisation of the SC. On one of these issues, Supreme Court gave an observation. The observation is not a part of the judgment. When SC-ST MPs, who belong to BJP, felt that the Opposition was misleading people that with this decision creamy layer will now be a part of SC/ST, they gave a memorandum to the Prime Minister on 9th August. After a cabinet decision, the PM said that the creamy layer is not implemented in SC/ST and is not a part of this judgment. The second part is about direction, it is a part of the judgment - Supreme Court said that if the states want they can draw sub-categorisation and it imposed two conditions, 1) states will collect quantifiable data, 2) they can't give 100% reservation to whoever they are giving," Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal told ANI.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Amid the ongoing protest during the nationwide Bharat Bandh, police lathicharged protestors in Bihar's Patna on Wednesday.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Extending support to the protestors who joined the ongoing Bharat Bandh on August 21, Congress leader Pawan Khera on Wednesday said, “Dalits, SC, ST, and OBCs are constantly agitated; they are living in constant fear. It is their democratic right to protest peacefully if they feel threatened."
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Vehicular traffic remains affected in parts of Bihar on Wednesdy due to the ongoing protest against the SC order on reservation policy.
In Jehanabad district, agitators clashed with security personnel when they tried to block movement of traffic on National Highway-83, police said.
“Five protestors were detained as they tried to disrupt traffic movement on NH-83 near Unta Chowk. They were later removed from the spot and normality was restored," said Hulas Baitha, Sub-Inspector, Town police station.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: The day-long Bharat Bandh, called by some Dalit and Adivasi groups, impacted the railways and road services in parts of Odisha.
Government offices, banks, business establishments and educational institutions are functioning normally, police told PTI.
The Home Department, in a note on Tuesday, “ .... advised officers and employees of various departments working in the state secretariat and heads of department building to reach the office by 9.30 am."
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: The apex court on August 1, permitted states to have the power to sub-classify SCs and STs while deciding if the class is adequately represented. The Supreme Court also made it clear that the state governments have to make sub-classification based on “quantifiable and demonstrable data" of backwardness and representation in government jobs and not on “whims" and as a matter of “political expediency".
The Supreme Court ruled by a majority judgement of 6:1, that sub-classification within the SCs and STs reservation is permissible. As many as six separate opinions were delivered in the case.
The judgement was delivered by the seven-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, which overruled earlier judgement in the EV Chinnaiah matter, which had held that sub-classification was not permissible because SC/STs form homogenous classes.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Due to the Bharat Bandh called across the nation, shops, markets and business establishments remained shut in Jaipur.
Police and security arrangements were also tightened in the city, additional police force was deployed at major intersections and markets.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Schools remain shut in Ranchi and several other parts of Jharkhand amid the ongoing protest against the Supreme Court's order in reservation policy.
One of the commuters shared the problems he faced due to hindered transport facility in the state.
“I had to go to Giridih today for urgent work. But, buses are not plying. I had no prior information about this development," Vinod Rawani told PTI, as he awaited transportation at the Khadgarha bus stand.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary on Wednesday reacted to the nationwide shutdown called by different organisations.
“Supreme Court had commented, after which the Law Minister also clarified it in Parliament. The Cabinet has also clarified its opinion, so now there is nothing left," said Jayanth Chaudhary.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Rajasthan Minister Jogaram Patel on Wednesday urged the supporters of Bharat Bandh to hold peaceful protests and take decision keeping in mind the interests of all reserved classes.
"Rajasthan will follow the decision taken by the Supreme Court and the decision taken by the Central Government. BJP and our government will take a decision keeping in mind the interests of all reserved classes. As far as Bharat Bandh is concerned, I appeal to the people to put forward their point but people should not be troubled, the traffic system should remain smooth, no one should face any problems and they should put forward their point in a peaceful manner," PTI quoted the Rajasthan Minister.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Accusing the BJP and RSS of playing the ‘divide and rule’ role for the SC-ST community, Congress MLA and former Chairman Nitin Raut said that the Bharat Bandh has been called to protest against the Supreme Court's judgement on reservation policy.
“When the language of a change in Constitution is being spoken in the country, when Central Government, BJP and RSS have played the role of 'divide and rule' for the SC-ST community...This was the hidden agenda of RSS and this Government is attempting to bring that agenda to the forefront. So, this Bharat Bandh has been called. This Bandh has also been called because PM calls himself an OBC but I think he is not an OBC, he is a false OBC. Had he really been an OBC, such actions would not have been taken in this country. But people of India have realised what lies in their hearts, so lakhs of people across the country will take to the streets today as part of Bharat Bandh, protest against this judgement and urge the President to overrule this judgment. We demand that the Supreme Court judgment should be immediately stopped through an Ordinance or a Special Session of Parliament be called, this be discussed and it be stopped...This matter does not pertain to Congress or any one party," said Raut.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Amid the ongoing pan-India shutdown, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren cancelled his visit to Palamu due to a strike, reported PTI on Wednesday.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Operation of bus services between different cities of Jharkhand were affected on Wednesday due to pan-India shutdown on August 21. Visuals shared by news agency PTI, showed isolated Kanta Toli Bus Stand due to Bharat Bandh against SC ruling on reservation policy.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: 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.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday extended his support to ‘Bharat Bandh’. The Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav said that the mass movement to protect reservations is a positive effort and it will instill new consciousness among the exploited and deprived.
“The mass movement to protect reservations is a positive effort. It will instil 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," the SP chief said in a post on X.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: People of ‘Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti t’ supporting the Bharat Banch 2024 staged protests in Patna on Wednesday, August 21.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the state governments to identity the creamy layer in Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) and excluded them from quota benefits.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: The Bharat bandh was called by different organisations and groups working for the welfare of the SC and ST groups. The Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti has called for this protest, which is supported by SC/ST groups mainly from Rajasthan. The protest has also been joined by several other Dalit and Adivasi organisations. Earlier, BSP had also extended support to the shutdown.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: The Bahujan Samaj Party on Wednesday extended support to the day-long Bharat Bandh protest called by some Dalit and Adivasi groups to protest against the Supreme Court's recent ruling in reservation policy.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: To support the Bharat Bandh called by different organisations working for the welfare of SC-ST groups, several protestors blocked roads in Bihar today.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: As the nationwide Bharat Bandh protest began today morning, Bhim Sna members were seen blocking a road during 'Bharat Bandh' in Sheikhpura, Bihar.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Bharat Bandh supporters gather in Bihar's Unta. The people protesting as a part of the nationwide bandh blocked the NH 83 in Unta , Jehanabad.
The 'Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti' are observing a day-long Bharat Bandh today to protest the Supreme Court's recent judgment on reservations.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Due to nationwide protest by different organisations, transport and other services are likely to be hindered today. However, all the banks will remain open today. So far, there has been no official confirmation by any government-owned or privately run bank about holiday for today.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Former UP Chief Minister Mayawati on Tuesday has extended support towards the nationwide Bharat Bandh called for today. In a post on X, Mayawati urged the Centre to amend the Constitution and restore the earlier reservation system for SC-ST.
“Also, 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 1 August 2024. These communities have called for a 'Bharat Bandh' tomorrow, and appeal to them to conduct it peacefully, without any violence," PTI quoted Mayawati as saying.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: The National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACDAOR) has demanded the immediate release of caste-based data on SC/ST/OBC employees in government services, reported PTI.
They are also pushing for the establishment of an Indian Judicial Service to recruit judicial officers and judges from all sections of society, with a target of 50 per cent representation from SC, ST, and OBC categories in the higher judiciary.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Several Dalit and Adivasi organisations have called for a ‘Bharat Bandh’ on Wednesday. The Bharat Bandh has been called for a stronger representation and protection for marginalised communities.
The National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACDAOR) has released a list of demands, including justice and equity for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Due to the recently announced Bharat Bandh, the strike and protest are likely to impact the operation of educational institutions. However, there has been no confirmation about any school or college holiday due to Bharat Bandh today. (Click to read full story)
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Amid nationwide protests called by different organisations, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress, and the Rashtriya Janata Dal have also extended their support to the nationwide protest called to opposed the apex court's verdict on SC reservations.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Several organisations and groups have called for a Bharat Bandh on Wednesday, August 21. The strike is to oppose the Supreme Court's ruling to exclude the “creamy layer" from theSC/ST quota. The move has sparked controversy, leading to the Bharat Bandh on Wednesday.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Amid the impact of routine services and operation of schools, colleges, etc, emergency services will remain operational today.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: Schools and colleges' operations are likely to remain affected on Wednesday amid protests that may intensify in afew areas of Rajasthan and Kerala.
Bharat Bandh 2024 Live: A nationwide strike, known as "Bharat Bandh," is set to take place on August 21, 2024, in response to a recent Supreme Court ruling on SC/ST reservations. The Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti has called for this protest, which is supported by SC/ST groups mainly from Rajasthan.
