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 reservation. The reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti has called fir this protest, supported by SC/ST groups mainly from Rajasthan!

The Supreme Court’s decision to exclude the “creamy layer” from SC/ST quota has sparked controversy and led to this call for protest. The Police force across Rajasthan have been directed to increase deployment and coordinate with local SC/ST outfits to ensure peaceful demonstrations, according to the reports.

The Bharat Bandh was initiated due to a recent Supreme Court verdict regarding the sub-categorization of quotas for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), as well as issues related to lateral entry into central civil services.

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Today’s Bharat Bandh: Key Points

Reason for the Bandh:

• Reservation Rights: The bandh is organized by Dalit and Adivasi groups to protect and strengthen reservation rights in jobs and education.
• Increased Representation: They are also demanding more representation for marginalized communities in various sectors.

Impact on Services:

• Emergency Services: Emergency services like hospitals and police will stay open and functional.
• Government Offices: Some government offices might be open, but services could be limited.

What to Expect:

• Transportation: Public and private transportation might be disrupted.
• Businesses: Many businesses might be closed or operating with reduced staff.

Other Factors:

1. Opposition to SC Verdict: The Bharat Bandh, called by the National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACDAOR), opposes the Supreme Court’s recent ruling, claiming it undermines the Indira Sawhney case framework for reservations.
2. Demands from NACDAOR:
   • Reject SC Judgment: NACDAOR demands a new central act protected from judicial review by the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.
   • Release Caste-Based Data: Immediate release of data on SC/ST/OBC representation in government jobs.
   • Fill Backlog Vacancies: Urges for the filling of all backlog vacancies in central and state government departments, and public sector enterprises.
   • Affirmative Action in Private Sector: Calls for private companies benefiting from government subsidies to adopt affirmative action policies.

Support and Impact:

1. Political Support: The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and Left parties support the Bharat Bandh.
2. Public Services:
   • Emergency Services: Hospitals, ambulances, and medical facilities will remain operational.
   • Other Services: No official announcements on the closure of banks, government offices, or educational institutions, but public services in states governed by supporting parties may be affected.

Participation:

• Peaceful Participation: NACDAOR has urged OBC and SC/ST groups to join the bandh peacefully in large numbers.