Bharat Bandh On August 21 - What Is The Reason, What To Expect: 10 Points

A nationwide strike, Bharat Bandh, has been called for August 21, 2024, in response to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on SC and ST reservation. The protest is being spearheaded by the Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, backed by SC and ST groups in Rajasthan. The bandh aims to reverse the court’s decision to allow the creation of sub-categories within the SC and ST groups, which many social and political organisations believe undermines the principle of reservations. Authorities across India have been placed on high alert to ensure law and order during the protests. The Bharat Bandh has stirred concerns across the country. Despite the call to close markets and businesses, essential services, including ambulances and public transport, is expected to remain operational. However, disruptions to regular business and office routines are expected in certain regions. Authorities in sensitive areas such as Western Uttar Pradesh have increased police deployment to prevent unrest.

The Supreme Court ruling that sparked the protests states that those in greater need within the SC and ST categories should receive priority for reservations. This has been met with fierce opposition from groups who believe it dilutes the integrity of the reservation system. In anticipation of potential violence, high-level security meetings have been held with police and government officials to coordinate efforts for maintaining public safety.

Protests are expected to be peaceful, with authorities engaging directly with the organisers and local businesses to ensure smooth cooperation. Western Uttar Pradesh, which has been flagged as particularly vulnerable to unrest, is under close watch by police forces.

Bharat Bandh On August 21 – What Is The Reason, What To Expect: 10 Points

1. 1. Bharat Bandh is scheduled for August 21, 2024, in protest against the Supreme Court’s ruling on SC/ST reservations, led by the Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti.
   2. The Supreme Court’s decision to allow states to create sub-categories within the SC/ST groups has been a point of contention, leading to nationwide dissent.
   3. Emergency services such as ambulances, public transport, and medical facilities will continue to function despite the call for a shutdown.
   4. Police forces, particularly in sensitive areas like Western Uttar Pradesh, have increased deployment to avoid potential unrest during the Bharat Bandh.
   5. The protest seeks to challenge the Supreme Court’s ruling, which prioritises reservations for those deemed in greater need within SC/ST groups.
   6. In Rajasthan, SC/ST groups are providing significant support to the Bharat Bandh, with the authorities engaging them in dialogue to ensure peaceful protests.
   7. High-level security meetings have been conducted to ensure that law and order are maintained, with police officers across India on alert.
   8. Despite calls for market closures, government offices, banks, schools, and petrol pumps are expected to remain operational during the bandh.
   9. Previous protests across India, including hospital strikes and trade union stirs, have set the stage for this larger-scale Bharat Bandh.
   10. The Bharat Bandh reflects the growing socio-political tensions in India surrounding reservations, with social and political organisations pushing for the reversal of the court’s decision.

The Supreme Court on August 5 said that states are required to identify the “creamy layer” within the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) and exclude them from reservation benefits. Currently, the concept of the “creamy layer” applies only to reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs). This decision came from the top court as it addressed the issue of further sub-classification within SCs and STs.

A seven-judge Constitution bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, decided by a 6:1 majority that states can indeed implement sub-classification within SCs and STs to allocate reservations more effectively to the most disadvantaged groups within these categories.