Mumbai, August 20: A nationwide bandh (closure) has been announced on Wednesday, August 21, to protest against the Supreme Court's recent decision on reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Notably, the Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti has called for Bharat bandh. The country-wide bandh has also received support from the Scheduled Castes and Tribes groups in Rajasthan. The development comes after the apex court, on August 1, delivered a significant verdict stating that states must identify the "creamy layer" within the SCs and STs and exclude them from quota benefits.

According to news reports, the police have been asked to increase security force deployment across all the districts to avoid any turmoils or untoward incidents. Social media is also abuzz with posts on Bharat Bandh, such as the hashtag "#21_August_Bharat_Bandh", which trended on X (formerly Twitter). While the bandh is being supported by SC and ST groups from Rajasthan, the state's Director General of Police, UR Sahoo, has directed district Superintendents of Police to maintain order across all state districts. 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.

Azad Samaj Party Extends Support to Bharat Bandh

The Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti announced a call for a Bharat bandh after the Supreme Court sparked controversy by calling for excluding a "creamy layer" from the SC and ST quota. The Bharat bandh on reservation comes a few days after a similar protest was held across the country following the brutal rape and murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar hospital in Kolkata and rising cases of violence against healthcare workers. Although a bandh will be observed tomorrow, it's important to know what is open and closed on Wednesday, August 21.

What Is Open and Closed on August 21 for Bharat Bandh?

The Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, which called for a nationwide bandh on August 21, has asked all business organisations to keep the markets closed on Wednesday. However, no official confirmation exists on whether markets will remain open for business or stay shut. The Bharat bandh is also expected to disrupt public transport across the country. However, essential services such as government offices, banks, schools, and colleges will likely remain functional. Emergency services, including police, courts, ambulances, hospitals, pharmacies, and medical services, will remain open on August 21. Kolkata Rape-Murder Case Victim’s Identity Exposed: Supreme Court Expresses Deep Concern Over Publication of Deceased Medic’s Name in Media.

Bharat Bandh has been called to challenge and protest the Supreme Court's ruling on SC and ST reservations. The top court's decision to allow states to create sub-categories within the SC and ST groups has sparked a major controversy. In its ruling, the Supreme Court stated that "those who really need it should get priority in reservation".

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 20, 2024 05:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).