‘Bharat Bandh’ On August 21: Nationwide Protests Against Supreme Court Ruling on SC/ST Reservations

India is buzzing with the nationwide strike known as 'Bharat Bandh,' and it's making waves across the country. So, First lets ...

India is buzzing with the nationwide strike known as ‘Bharat Bandh,’ and it’s making waves across the country.
So, First lets understand why this protest is happening, who’s behind it, and what it means for you.

Today, India is seeing a nationwide strike called “Bharat Bandh” on August 21, 2024. This protest is in response to a recent Supreme Court decision about reservations for SC/ST communities.
The strike has been organized by the Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, and several political parties, including Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress, and Rashtriya Janata Dal, are supporting it where Left parties are also backing the strike.

During the strike, many public services, businesses, and schools may be closed. Essential services like hospitals will stay open, but public transport could be disrupted. Check local updates if you need to travel.

The Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti has organized a Bharat Bandh today because they disagree with a recent Supreme Court decision about reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
On August 1, the Supreme Court ruled that states can create sub-categories within SCs and STs, allowing them to prioritize certain groups for job and school reservations.

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The Supreme Court’s new decision changes its 2004 ruling, which had said that the SC/ST groups should be treated as one single group without dividing them further.

However, Some people are against the new court decision, saying it goes against the basic idea of reservations. To protest this ruling, the Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti has called for the Bandh.

Well, The National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACADOR), which is part of the Bharat Bandh, has made several demands. They are calling for fair treatment and justice for SCs, STs, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
They also demanding that the government quickly release data on the number of SC, ST, and OBC employees in public jobs.

According to Zee News reports, the Bharat Bandh will affect three states the most: Rajasthan, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh.
Emergency services like hospitals, ambulances, and pharmacies will stay open. Essential services such as drinking water, public transport, rail services, and electricity will continue as usual.

Government offices, institutions, banks, schools, and colleges across the country will generally stay open today. However, in some places in Rajasthan, like Jaipur and Bharatpur, schools and coaching classes will be closed in support of the Bharat Bandh.
As the situation unfolds, we’ll keep you updated with the latest developments.