The Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti has called for a Bharat Bandh on August 21 (Wednesday) in response to the Supreme Court's ruling on Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) reservations. 


The strike has seen support from SC/ST groups in Rajasthan and is expected to see widespread participation. The law enforcement agencies are all geared up to deal with the bandh on Wednesday. 


What Is The Reason Behind Protest? 


The Supreme Court in a landmark judgement held that the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes is permissible to grant separate quotas for more backwards within the SC/ST categories. 


The apex court on August 1 overruled a 2004 judgment in E V Chinnaiah vs State of Andhra Pradesh which said there cannot be sub-classification of SCs/ST for the purpose of reservation.


ALSO READ | Should Creamy Layer Be Excluded From SC/ST Reservations? What Supreme Court Said


The decision has received opposition from several social and political organisations which argue that the ruling undermines the principle of reservation. 


What Are The Demands?


The Bharat Bandh has challenged the Supreme Court ruling and is demanding its reversal. 


The National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACDAOR) released a list of demands, including justice and equity for SCs, STs, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). The NACDAOR has urged the government to reject the SC judgment, arguing it threatens the constitutional rights of SCs and STs.


The organisation is also calling for the enactment of a new Act of Parliament on reservations for SCs, STs, and OBCs, which would be protected by inclusion in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution. It has also demanded the immediate release of caste-based data on SC/ST/OBC employees in government services to ensure their accurate representation. 


The organisation has called for filling up of all backlog vacancies in central and state government departments, as well as public sector undertakings. 


Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party has supported the Baharat Bandh and appealed to the people to protest peacefully. Other parties including the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha have also supported the Bandh.


Authorities On Alert 


In view of the protest on Wednesday, the police authorities have increased their presence across districts. 


Rajasthan's Director General of Police UR Sahoo has instructed the Superintendents of Police to maintain order and engage with local organisations. 


"We have asked our officials to organise meetings with groups calling for the bandh, as well as with market associations, to facilitate better cooperation," Sahoo said.


What's Open And What's Closed?


The organiser behind the Bharat Bandh has urged all business organisations to keep the markets shut. However, it remains unclear whether the markets will remain closed on Wednesday.


As per reports, the government offices, banks, schools, colleges and petrol pumps will remain functional despite the call for Bharat Bandh. 


Moreover, emergency services like ambulances, hospitals and medical facilities will remain operational.