BSP, ASP Bharat Bandh protest against Supreme Court's decision, SP extended support

INDC Network: New Delhi (India): Today, on 21st August, Dalit organizations have called for a Bharat Bandh. In fact, recently the Supreme Court gave a decision related to the sub-classification of SC-ST reservation. Dalit organizations have announced a Bharat Bandh today in protest against this decision of the Supreme Court. This bandh is now getting continuous support from opposition political parties as well. Here you can see the moment-to-moment information of Bharat Bandh.

What is happening in Bharat Bandh today?

Recently, the Supreme Court gave a big decision regarding the SC-ST policy. The Supreme Court said that the state has the constitutional right to sub-classify the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes coming under its jurisdiction. Along with this decision, the Supreme Court had said that its benefits can also be availed by those who are socially and educationally more backward. Let us tell you that the Constitution Bench of seven judges headed by Supreme Court Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud gave this decision with a majority of 6:1. Dalit students have called for a Bharat Bandh today in protest against this decision.

Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has also given a statement in support of the Bharat Bandh. In this regard, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav posted on his social media platform X. He wrote, "The people's movement for the protection of reservation is a positive effort. It will infuse new consciousness among the exploited and deprived classes and will prove to be the shield of people's power against any kind of tampering with reservation. Peaceful movement is a democratic right. Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar had already warned that the Constitution will prove effective only when the intentions of those who implement it are right. When the ruling governments themselves tamper with the Constitution and the rights given by it through fraud, scams and scandals, the public will have to take to the streets. The people's movement will curb the aggressive government."

Amid the Bharat Bandh, a statement by Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati has also come to the fore. Mayawati put forth her point on social media X. He said, "BSP supports Bharat Bandh because there is anger and dissatisfaction among them against the decision of the Supreme Court dated August 1, 2024 regarding sub-classification and creamy layer in SC/ST, due to the conspiracy of BJP and Congress etc. against reservation and their efforts to make it ineffective and ultimately end it with their cooperation. In this regard, the people of these sections have submitted a memorandum to the government today under 'Bharat Bandh' and demanded the abolition of the changes made in the reservation, which is strongly appealed to be done in a disciplined and peaceful manner without any violence."

Mayawati further wrote, "The constitutional right of reservation given to SC-ST as well as OBC society is the result of the continuous struggle of Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, the need and sensitivity of which should be understood by BJP, Congress and other parties and should not be taken lightly." Let us tell you that BSP had already supported Bharat Bandh. 

Supporting the Bharat Bandh, Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad said, "Today's mass movement is a clear message to the central and state governments that now the Bahujan Samaj will not allow the conspiracy of 'divide and rule' to succeed. On one hand you search for creamy layer in SC-ST and on the other hand you make our judges disappear from High Court to Supreme Court, leave the reserved category seats vacant by calling it NFS, end reservation by calling it single post and now you conspire to make us fight among ourselves. Listen carefully, opponents of reservation and constitution, now you will have to give us our rights on the basis of our property, land and our numbers in the government." 

He further said, "I had challenged in Parliament, today the society is challenging on the streets. Enough is enough, now we will not tolerate any direct or indirect attack on the rights of Bahujans. I also want to tell the state governments that today the Bahujan society has come out on the streets to demand their rights, so the state governments should also strengthen the law and order and assist in the peaceful movement. If any government conspires against us, it will have to lose its position in the future, remember these words of mine. Jai Bhim, Jai Bharat, Jai Mandal, Jai Johar, Jai Samvidhaan."

This is the first time that the Bahujan Samaj Party and Chandrashekhar Azad have come together on the streets. Actually, Dalit organizations have called for a Bharat Bandh today i.e. on August 21. Recently, the Supreme Court had given a decision regarding the sub-classification of SC-ST reservation. Dalit organizations have announced Bharat Bandh today in protest against this decision of the Supreme Court.

Let us tell you that BSP supremo Mayawati has also supported the Bharat Bandh. At the same time, Bhim Army chief and Azad Samaj Party leader MP Chandrashekhar has also supported the Bharat Bandh. After a long time, the Bahujan Samaj Party is participating in a movement. In such a situation, this will be the first time that BSP leaders and workers and Chandrashekhar's workers will be seen together on the streets.

Let us tell you that recently the Supreme Court had given a big decision regarding SC-ST reservation. The Supreme Court had said that the state governments have the constitutional right to make sub-classification within the Scheduled Castes and Tribes. Along with this decision, the Supreme Court had said that its benefits can also be availed by those castes which are socially and educationally more backward. Let us tell you that the Constitution Bench of seven judges headed by Supreme Court Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud gave this decision with a majority of 6:1.

Dalit organizations are opposing this decision of the Supreme Court. Due to this protest, Dalit organizations have called for Bharat Bandh today, which has also received the support of BSP and Chandrashekhar. Today rallies can be taken out by Dalit organizations and leaders and workers of BSP-Bhim Army in support of Bharat Bandh. Also, Dalit organizations and BSP-Bhim Army leaders can submit memorandum to DM or SDM everywhere. Let us tell you that Dalit organizations and BSP-Azad Samaj Party have appealed for cooperation in Bharat Bandh in a peaceful manner. At present, no alert has been issued in UP Police in view of Bharat Bandh.

In view of Bharat Bandh, no order has been issued yet to keep schools and colleges closed in UP. Also, no departmental alert has been issued regarding all emergency services like hospitals, ambulances and public transport like trains, buses etc.