New Delhi, Sept 3: As ambiguity prevails over the purported Bharat Bandh called by anti-reservation groups on September 6, the Madhya Pradesh unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sounded an alert for its leaders and cadres in the state, asking them to ensure maximum restraint in their speeches.

The warning note comes in the wake of protests faced by senior BJP leaders in the state, including Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The demonstrations were organised by the Samanya Pichhda Alpsankhyak Kalyan Samaj (SAPAK), which has opposed the restoration of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act by the central government in its original form, apart from the policy of reservation applied for promotion in government jobs.

The proposed shutdown call, issued for Thursday, has received the support of nearly 38 anti-quota groups, reports said. Among the prominent outfits which would be joining the agitation include SAPAK, General Samaj Manch, Sawarn Samaj and Bharatiya Jan Yug.

Cadres of these outfits have, in the recent days, stage protests during the roadshows of BJP veterans Narendra Singh Tomar, Thawar Chand Gehlot, Prabhat Jha, Rustam Singh and Sudhir Gupta.

The Opposition Congress, which supported the Bill which reversed the changes made to the SC/ST Act by the Supreme Court, has also drawn the wrath of anti-reservation activists.

In the past week, the protesters tore up Congress posters ahead of a public meeting which was scheduled to be addressed by senior party leaders Jyotiraditya Scindia and Jaivardhan Singh.

Meanwhile, reports have pointed out the fake news being circulated related to the bandh, with several photoshopped images claiming that the agitation has been extended support by anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare. Hazare's personal assistant, while speaking to reporters, clarified that the social activist has not lended support to any such cause.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 03, 2018 04:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).