The Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti has called for a Bharat Bandh on Wednesday, August 21, in response to the Supreme Court's recent decision on SC/ST reservations.
The Bharat bandh has garnered strong support from SC/ST communities of Rajasthan. The protest is also expected to see widespread participation across the country. The government has instructed the concerned authorities to take proper measures to ensure law and order during the protest.
Latest Updates on Bharat Bandh 21 August
Check here for latest updates on Bharat Bandh News:
Bharat Band News: Opposition Parties Extend their Support
The call for today's Bharat Bandh has received support from a number of opposition political parties, including the Congress, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha.
Bharat Bandh: Kya Aaj Bharat Band Hai?
As per the latest news, there is no official announcement regarding the closure of banks and government offices. However, Rajasthan government has declared a holiday for the students of Class 1 to Class 12, in lieu of Baharat Bandh. As a result, the children's exams have also been postponed.
Today Bharat Band News: Are School and Colleges Closed?
During the Bharat Bandh, schools, colleges, and petrol pumps will generally stay open. However, a school holiday has been declared in specific areas of Rajasthan, including Dausa, Jaipur, Gangapur City, Bharatpur, Deeg, Jhunjhunu, Gurgaon, and Sawai Madhopur.
Kya Aaj Bharat Band Hai: BSP Supremo Supports Bharat Bandh
Mayawati's BSP has backed the Bharat Bandh. She stated that parties like the BJP and Congress are working together to undermine the reservation system, and eventually end it.
1. बीएसपी का भारत बंद को समर्थन, क्योंकि भाजपा व कांग्रेस आदि पार्टियों के आरक्षण विरोधी षडयंत्र एवं इसे निष्प्रभावी बनाकर अन्ततः खत्म करने की मिलीभगत के कारण 1 अगस्त 2024 को SC/ST के उपवर्गीकरण व इनमें क्रीमीलेयर सम्बंधी मा. सुप्रीम कोर्ट के निर्णय के विरुद्ध इनमें रोष व आक्रोश।
— Mayawati (@Mayawati) August 21, 2024
What was the SC’s Decision on SC/ST Reservation?
A seven-judge constitution bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud ruled, with a 6:1 majority, that states are allowed to further divide SCs and STs into sub-groups. This allows them to allocate quotas more effectively to those who have faced the most discrimination within these communities.
The court stated that "Scheduled Castes are not a single, uniform group. State governments can create sub-categories within them in order to ensure that those who have faced more severe discrimination receive a greater share of the allocated 15% reservation."
Reason Behind Bharat Bandh 2024 (21st August)
The main reason behind the protest is the Supreme Court ruling of allowing different states to sub-classify the SC/ST community as per the degree of discrimination the community had to face.
The ruling, which aims to focus reservations on those most in need, has faced strong pushback from various social and political groups.
Critics argue that this decision weakens the core principles of the reservation system. As a result, there is a call for a Bharat Bandh to demand that the decision be reversed.
Will the Markets Remain Closed during Bharat Bandh?
The Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti has asked all businesses to close in support of the protest.
However, it's still unclear if markets across the country will actually shut down, as there has been no official word from market committees, according to a report by The Times of India.
Which Services will Remain Open during strike?
As per the media sources, there might be some services that will get affected with this Bharat Bandh. However, it is clear that emergency services, including medical assistance will remain functional throughout the day.
Check the table below to know which services will remain operational on August 21:
| Service/Operation | Status During Bharat Bandh |
| Public Transport | Might get affected |
| Private Sector Operations | Might get affected |
| Ambulances (Essential Services) | Will continue to function |
| Government Offices | Will remain open |
| Banks | Will remain open |
| Schools and Colleges | Will remain open |
| Petrol Pumps | Will remain open |
| Medical Care (Emergency Services) | Will remain operational |
| Drinking Water | Will remain operational |
| Rail Services | Will remain operational |
| Electricity Supply | Will remain operational |
The call for Bharat Bandh is expected to garner support all over the country. The protest against the SC’s ruling is expected to cause disruption in certain services including public transportation. However, schools, banks, government offices are to remain open during this protest.
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