Bharat Bandh 2024: Many organizations, including the Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, have called for a Bharat Bandh on August 21 in protest against the Supreme Court’s decision on the issue of reservation for Scheduled Castes, Tribes, and the creamy layer.
Nationwide Shutdown on August 21: A nationwide shutdown has been called on August 21 against the Supreme Court’s decision on the creamy layer. Many organizations, including the Aarakshan Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, have supported the shutdown called over the reservation issue for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has also supported this shutdown. Party general secretary Satish Chandra Mishra has appealed to the workers to participate in this shutdown and maintain peace.
More impact of bandh in Rajasthan
SC/ST groups in Rajasthan have supported the bandh. According to a TOI report, police deployment has been increased in all districts to avoid any kind of tension. DGP UR Sahu also said that SPs have also been instructed to ensure law and order in connection with the Bharat Bandh. The DGP said that we have asked our officers to hold meetings with the groups calling for the bandh as well as market associations so that better cooperation can be ensured.
Why has Bharat Bandh been called?
Let us tell you that the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court gave a big decision on the reservation on August 1 and allowed the states to create sub-categories within the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC-ST). The court had said that those who needed it should get priority on reservations. This decision of the Supreme Court has sparked a widespread debate, and reports say that the main objective of the Bharat Bandh is to challenge the Supreme Court’s decision on the reservation and demand its reversal.
What remained open and what remained closed during the Bharat Bandh?
Given the possibility of violence during the Bandh, top police officials held a meeting regarding preparations through video conferencing. According to the report, all divisional commissioners, district magistrates, and senior police officers attended the meeting. Western Uttar Pradesh has been considered particularly sensitive, due to which the police have been put on high alert there. Officials are taking extensive steps to ensure the safety of the public during the protest.
However, no official announcement has been made about what will remain open and what will remain closed during the Bharat Bandh. But, according to media reports, public transport and private offices are usually closed on such days. whereas emergency services like ambulances remain operational.