Bharat Bandh: Today, a nationwide Bharat Bandh has been called. This call is in protest against the Supreme Court’s decision allowing sub-categorization within SC/ST reservations. The Reservation Save Struggle Committee has called for this Bharat Bandh on August 21, 2024, in opposition to the Supreme Court ruling that permits sub-categorization within SC/ST reservations. Several social and political organizations, including the BSP, are supporting this call. In many states, especially in Western Uttar Pradesh, the police are on high alert to maintain law and order.
What is the decision?
The Supreme Court has ruled that all groups within Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) are not the same. Some groups need more assistance than others. For example, people who clean sewers and weavers are both part of the SC group, but they may need more help compared to some other SC groups. To assist these individuals, state governments can create special programs for them, and the law permits this.
The Supreme Court has set guidelines on how states can determine quotas, which are special allowances for certain groups of people. They stated that states cannot make arbitrary decisions. Two important points to remember are: first, no single group within SCs can claim the entire quota for itself. Second, before deciding how much allowance a group will receive, states must have accurate information about the number of people in that group.
What will be closed and open during the Bharat Bandh?
On August 21, during the Bharat Bandh, all emergency services such as hospitals and ambulances will remain operational. Bank offices and government offices will also be open. However, public transport services may be affected. Private shops or offices might be closed.
In several districts of Rajasthan, including Barmer, Jaipur, Kota, and Ajmer, the impact of the Bharat Bandh has started to show. Traders have kept their establishments closed. Crowds have started gathering at city circles, and rallies are being held to submit memorandums to the district collector on behalf of the President and Prime Minister. Heavy police presence is deployed throughout the city. Police officers are patrolling the entire area.
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