The ‘Bharat Bandh’ on Wednesday, called by Dalit and Adivasi groups against the Supreme Court’s verdict on the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) saw mixed reactions across states.
The nationwide strike called by the National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACDAOR) released a list of demands including that the government reject the judgment.
The nationwide 'bandh' was observed especially in states like Bihar, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Gujarat.
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While the ruling party has been mute on the 'bandh', a BJP ally has voiced their support for 'bandh' while another party has opposed the strike.
Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief and Union Minister Chirag Paswan has said he will ensure that the policy of affirmative action which is mentioned in the Constitution is never done away with. Paswan also extended support for the nationwide strike against the apex court's recent ruling.
"I and my party Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) support the decision of Bharat Bandh in a peaceful manner in protest against the Supreme Court's decision on SC/ST reservation. It is our duty to become the voice of the rights of the exploited and deprived of society. The central government led by the Prime Minister has also been committed to the development of the oppressed and the deprived," Paswan said in a post on X.
He also said that the NDA government by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided that the provisions of the reservation will remain and there will be no tampering with the reservation.
HAM leader and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi supported the SC ruling calling those supporting the bandh as 'selfish'. He said there are 18 SC and ST castes which are not getting the benefits of reservation.
"Four castes have been taking all reservation benefits for 76 years, while castes like Bhuiya, Dom, Mehtar, and Musahar are still backward," Manjhi reportedly said.
The opposition RJD has extended support to the 'Bandh' with Tejashwi Yadav claiming that the BJP is planning to end reservation.
Speaking on the SC ruling, he said, "We are continuously raising our voices on the issue of reservations. Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s provisions in the Constitution did not include the concept of a creamy layer. This provision was made to address social inequalities and discrimination."
He also hit out at the Centre on the reservation and questioned Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, LJP leader Chirag Paswan and HAM leader Jitan Ram Manjhi whether they or their family members are not taking the benefits of reservation.
Meanwhile, other parties including Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party, Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party and Bhim Army in UP; and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha in Jharkhand are supporting the Bharat Bandh.
In Bihar, the impact of the bandh was strongly felt as protesters disrupted train services at Darbhanga and Buxar railway stations and blocked traffic in Patna, Hajipur, Darbhanga, Jehanabad, and Begusarai districts.
In other districts, including Madhepura, Muzaffarpur, Saran, Begusarai, Hajipur, and Purnea, protesters attempted to block traffic and burned tyres, but were quickly dispersed by security forces.