Bharat Bandh 2024: Reason Behind Dalit Groups Protesting Against SC’s Quota Order, On August 21- Read REPORTS

On August 1, 2024, a seven-judge bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud stated that states, that are empowered to make sub-classifications within SCs and STs, to grant smaller quotas within the larger reservation for “reserved categories” to uplift the most “underprivileged sections.” Quoted by NDTV, he said, “Historical and empirical evidence demonstrates SCs are a socially heterogenous class.” Well, this did not sit well with the National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACDAOR) who demanded “justice and equity for SCs, STs, and OBCs.”

The Bharat Bandh 2024 took place on August 21, where various organisations of the Dalit communities protested the Supreme Court’s “quota within a quota” decision regarding reservations in state jobs and colleges for the SC and ST candidates. As reported by NDTV, police officials lathi-charged the protesters and also deployed water cannons in Patna. The strike was reportedly called for by two dozen “Dalit and Adivasi groups,” including the Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti. The protest varied in degrees of intensity in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and other states. 

It is to be noted that the Bandh was backed by political parties like Bihar's Rashtriya Janata Dal, and Madhya Pradesh’s Bahujan Samaj Party. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, the Congress, and various left parties voiced out their support for the protest. An ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) union minister, Chirag Paswan also extended his moral support by taking to his official X (formerly known as Twitter) handle. 

Talking about the nationwide clashes, photos and videos from the same are currently going viral on social media. In Patna, cops can be seen physically assaulting and lathi-charging the protestors on “nearly empty streets.” They also chased away the crowds who blocked traffic at Dak Bungalow Chowk. It was also reported that some travellers were affected after protesters blocked tracks, which led to delays of several trains including the Darbhanga-New Delhi Sampark Kranti Superfast Express.

In Bihar’s Jehanabad, protesters blocked National Highway 83, which connects Patna to Gaya, disrupting the normal life in the state’s several cities including the capital. The scarcity of public transport forced many to walk long distances to reach their destinations. While private schools in Patna remained closed, some which remained open had to deal with suspended bus services. 

According to a report by the media publication, the Bharat Bandh in Uttar Pradesh had no real impact. As Dalit groups and opposition parties protested in parts of the state, shops remained open. However, it is to be noted that, the security was tightened due to the protest, which was reportedly backed by Mayawati's BSP and Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party. 

Talking about its impact in Rajasthan, educational institutions in Jaipur, Alwar, Dausa, Sawai Madhopur, Deeg, Jaisalmer, and Bharatpur were shut for the same, and exams in Kota were postponed. While strict arrangements in Madhya Pradesh, Gwalior dried were made, including deployment of drones. The bandh has not impact in Assam. Schools, offices as well as business establishments functioned with full attendance across the state. There were also no disruptions to the railway services.