Mumbai, August 19: The Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti has announced a Bharat Bandh on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, in protest against the recent Supreme Court decision on reservations for Scheduled Castes and Tribes. The Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court delivered a significant verdict on August 1, saying states must identify the 'creamy layer' within the SCs and STs and exclude them from quota benefits.

The hashtag ‘#21_August_Bharat_Bandh’ is trending on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, with thousands of posts discussing the Bharat bandh. The bandh aims to highlight what protesters view as an unjust Supreme Court ruling affecting marginalised communities. As the date approaches, officials are prioritising maintaining order and ensuring public safety during the demonstrations. Supreme Court Verdict on Sub-Classifications in SC, ST Categories: India’s Top Court Opines on Identifying Creamy Layer in Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Justice Gavai Suggests Policy

What Supreme Court Said in Its SC-ST Ruling?

On August 1, the Supreme Court ruled that states must identify the ‘creamy layer’ in the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) and exclude them from quota benefits. The Supreme Court also ruled by a majority judgment that sub-classification within the SC and ST reservation is permissible, overruling the earlier order in the EV Chinnaiah matter that sub-classification was not permissible as SC/STs form “homogenous classes.”

What Stays Open, Shut During Bharat Bandh on August 21:

All the essential services, including hospitals, ambulances, Chemist shops, etc, are expected to remain open during Bharat Bandh on August 21. Apart from these, government offices, banks, schools and colleges will likely run efficiently. Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case: Supreme Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance of RG Kar Medical College Hospital Incident; Hearing on August 20.

Bharat Bandh On August 21

Days after the Supreme Court called for the exclusion of the creamy layer from the ambit of Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe reservation, the Union Cabinet turned it down on August 9, saying, “there is no provision for a creamy layer in SC/ST reservation” in “the Constitution given by B R Ambedkar”.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 19, 2024 11:38 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).