Bharat ‘bandh’ called for August 21 is a protest action arranged by the Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti to protest the recent judgment of the Supreme Court of India regarding the reservation for SCs and STs. The ruling that enables states to develop sub-divisions in those groups has caused a lot of debate across the nations. While coming up with the sub-categories the apex court said, “Only those who require it should be given priority in the reservation policy.” The essence of the Bharat Bandh is to protest against this ruling and call for its reversal while noting that, as it is, the reservation system should be preserved in its integrity.
The recent judgment of the Supreme Court of India that has given a green signal for the claiming of sub categorization within SC/ST category has evoked a lot of protests. Thus, allowing the states to give preference to the sub-categories of SC/STs which are more downtrodden, the court said: “Who needs it more should get priority in reservation.” This decision has emerged as contentious as it may water down the affirmative action meant for the SC/ST communities in general.
Nationwide Support and Participation
Different social political organisations in the country have endorsed the Bharat Bandh. Some of the SC/ST groups that have been particularly active in Rajasthan are likely to also feature with a huge turnout. The protest has also gathered political support from persons in authority who have raised concern over the consequences of theSupremeCourt decision.
Bharat Bandh on August 21: security precautions to be taken
Due to these and other indications of possible instability, the government has put up security forces in all parts of the country. Top police officers have had to conduct meeting using teleconferencing to be able to map out strategies aimed at maintaining order. As per newspaper clippings, divisional commissioners to district magistrates to senior police officers have been told to ensure law and order during bandh. The region of western Uttar Pradesh has been considered to be particularly vulnerable in terms of violence, and thus, security has been increased, and extra forces have been deployed in order to ensure that no acts of violence occur.
Bharat Bandh Today: The Bharat Bandh call gets a mixed reaction in the state of Rajasthan.
In Rajasthan, the Bharat Bandh called by some organisations against a recent Supreme Court order on reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) did not disturb normal life. Whereas the essential service sectors have not been included in the bandh, the public transport was normal in the morning.
Stores and classes in some towns were shut. Due to the bandh call, there are restrictions in some facilities and the mobile internet services are barred in Bharatpur. Some of the effects were that in some areas there was inconvenience because many road ways buses were not easily accessible.
Preparations for maintaining law and order were made all over the state for the day.
Jaipur Vyapar Mahasangh General Secretary Suresh Saini said all the market associations in the city had voluntarily closed the shops to avoid any kind of problem to the shopkeepers or the customers because of the protest.
The SC ST Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti will organise a rally against the order on August 1 passed by the apex court on further sub-classification of SCs in Jaipur.
The members of the SC and ST communities came to Ram Niwas Garden to be a part of the rally which will cover various markets among which: Chaura Rasta, Johari Bazar, Tripolia Bazar and MI Road.
Bharat Bandh Today: Bharat Bandh had no effect in Assam
The groups that had called for a day-long Bharat Bandh in support of their demand for compensatory, community-based reservation had a lack of impact on people of Assam on Wednesday. At the state level, virtually all the schools, offices and business establishments were opened as it was a working day with almost full patronage.
Vehicles were still moving along the road and long-distance passengers’ buses were healthily in operation. No disruption of services was noticed and all the railway trains were well on schedule for departure and arrival.
Twenty-one organisations across the country have given the Bharat Bandh call on the apex court’s August 1 ruling over the SC-ST reservation matter.
The organisations demanded a review of the order stating that the judgment would have a negative impact of the principles of reservation.
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