Bharat Bandh 2024: Are Banks Open During Today’s Nationwide Shutdown On August 21?

Bharat Bandh 2024: Despite the Bharat Bandh, bank branches across the country will remain open on Wednesday. Law enforcement officials have been directed to maintain order during the protest

Bharat Bandh 2024: Banks will observe a long weekend closure from August 24 to August 26.

Source : PTI

Bharat Bandh 2024: In response to the Supreme Court's recent ruling on reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), the Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti has called for a Bharat Bandh on Wednesday. The protest seeks to challenge the ruling, which they claim undermines constitutional protections for marginalised communities.

Dalit and Adivasi organisations, led by the National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACDAOR), have joined the protest, demanding stronger representation and protection for marginalised communities.

Bank Operations Unaffected, Holiday Closures Coming Soon

Despite the Bharat Bandh, bank branches across the country will remain open on Wednesday. Law enforcement officials have been directed to maintain order during the protest.

However, banks will observe a long weekend closure from August 24 to August 26. August 24, the fourth Saturday of the month, and August 25, a Sunday, are regular weekend holidays. August 26 is a national holiday for Krishna Janmashtami, and banks in most states will be closed to mark the festival.

According to the Reserve Bank of India's holiday calendar, banks will observe a total of seven holiday closures in August due to national and regional festivals, excluding weekends.

State-wise holidays

Apart from weekends, banks will be closed on Monday, August 26, in several states, including Gujarat, Orissa, Chandigarh, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, Jammu, Uttar Pradesh, Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh, and Srinagar, due to Janmashtami (Shravan Vad-8)/Krishna Jayanthi. This holiday falls after the fourth Saturday and Sunday, resulting in a long weekend in these states.

Cause for Bharat Bandh

The NACDAOR has issued a list of demands calling for justice and equity for SCs, STs, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). They oppose the recent Supreme Court decision by a seven-judge bench, which they believe contradicts the landmark Indira Sawhney case that established the framework for reservations in India.

The protest organisers have urged all business establishments to close today (Wednesday). While business associations have not officially confirmed participation, there remains uncertainty regarding potential closures and the nationwide impact of the protest.