Bharat Bandh 2024: The Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti has announced a Bharat Bandh on August 21, i.e, today, as a mark of protest against the Supreme Court’s ruling on SC/ST reservations. The SC/ST groups in Rajasthan, have extended support for the bandh.
According to a report by The Times of India, police have been asked to increase deployment across all the districts, to avoid any tension. DGP UR Sahoo also said that instructions had also been given to the SPs to ensure law and order situation in connection with the Bharat Bandh.
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal on Tuesday (August 20, 2024) announced that they would extend support to the Bharat Bandh call given by various organisations on Wednesday (August 21, 2024) in response to the Supreme Court’s recent verdict on Scheduled Caste (SC) reservations.
Left parties also backed the call for the strike.
Dalit and Adivasi organisations have called for a ‘Bharat Bandh’ on Wednesday over their demand for stronger representation and protection for marginalised communities.
The National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACDAOR) has has taken an opposing view to a recent Supreme Court judgment by a seven-judge bench that, according to them, undermines the earlier ruling of a nine-judge bench in the landmark Indira Sawhney case, which established the framework for reservations in India.
On Wednesday, the Bahujan Samaj Party also extended support to the day-long Bharat Bandh, and accused the BJP and the Congress of colluding to end reservation. It said these parties and others should understand the necessity of reservation and not play with it.
JMM has asked its all leaders, district presidents, secretaries and district coordinators to actively participate in the 14-hour nationwide strike and extend their support.
“The recent verdict given by the Supreme Court on the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe reservations would prove to be an obstacle in the path of upliftment and strengthening of the SC/ST classes,” JMM general secretary Vinod Kumar Pandey said in a statement.
RJD state general secretary and media in-charge Kailash Yadav said that the party has decided to extend its support and participate in the day-long strike.
State Congress spokesperson Rakesh Sinha also said that the party has also extended support to the bandh call.
Bharat Bandh today: Check security measures
To avoid any violence during Bharat Bandh, senior civil and police officials held a meeting to assess the preparation and all divisional commissioners, district magistrates and senior police officers have been asked to keep a strict vigil on any untoward situation.
Moreover, police and para-military forces have been put on high alert across the country, especially in areas that are sensitive such as western Uttar Pradesh.
Because of the Bharat Bandh, the Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti has urged all business establishments to shut down in solidarity with the protest. They have also called on people to participate in large numbers in a peaceful manner.
Will ambulance, medical facilities be available?
As reports suggest all kinds of emergency services such as hospitals, ambulances, and medical facilities, will remain functional. Moreover, pharmacies will also remain open.
Can you access public transport?
All through the day, other emergency services such as drinking water, public transport, Delhi metro services, rail services, and electricity services will also remain open.
As there is no official order on their closure, the government offices, educational institutions will also function normally across the country. Schools and colleges will also remain open. Banks and post offices will remain accessible to all.
Schools closed in Rajasthan
Schools and coaching classes are closed in Rajasthan’s Jaipur, Dausa, Sawai Madhopur, Deeg, Bharatpur in support of the Bharat Bandh.