Dalit Groups Call Bharat Bandh On 21st August To Protest SC Ruling

Delhi, 20th August 2024: Dalit organizations across India have called for a Bharat Bandh on 21st August 2024 to protest the Supreme Court’s ruling on the creamy layer in Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservations. The court’s decision allows for sub-classification within SC-ST reservations, which has sparked opposition from various Dalit groups. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and other political entities have extended their support to this nationwide shutdown. The bandh is expected to impact public transportation and private offices, while emergency services like hospitals will remain operational.

The Supreme Court’s ruling stated that not all Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are equally disadvantaged, allowing for state governments to create sub-classifications within these groups. The decision, aimed at benefiting more marginalized communities within the SC-ST category, has been met with resistance from Dalit organizations who argue that it undermines the broader reservation system. The court emphasized that any such sub-classification must be based on solid data and cannot allocate 100% of the quota to a single caste within the SC category.

BSP General Secretary Satish Chandra Mishra, voicing his party’s opposition to the ruling, urged all BSP workers to participate in the Bharat Bandh and raise awareness among the public, particularly among marginalized communities. The bandh has garnered significant attention, particularly in states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.

The Bharat Bandh is expected to disrupt public transportation and may lead to the closure of some private offices, though no official guidelines have been issued by state governments. Emergency services such as hospitals and ambulances will continue to operate, and banks and government offices are expected to remain open unless further notices are issued.