Saurabh Mukherjee
Bharat bandh, called by nearly 21 Dalit and Adivasi organizations in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling on the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) for reservation purposes, had a significant impact across Bihar.
Thousands of protesters, primarily Dalit community members and activists from different organizations and political parties, took to the streets early in the morning. The demonstrations affected rail and road traffic, leading to the closure of businesses and educational institutions.
The protesters voiced their opposition to the Supreme Court's decision regarding a 'creamy layer' within SC/ST reservations, which was also supported by several Opposition parties.
Armed with posters, banners, and blue flags, supporters from the Arakhshan Bachao Sangarsh Samiti, Bhim Army, Dalit Sena, and other Dalit organizations blocked several trains at various railway stations, including Madhubani, Darbhanga, Buxar, Hajipur and Ara. The protesters also blocked several National Highways in Jahanabad, Chapra, Begusarai, Vaishali, and state highways at over a dozen locations. Additionally, there were reports of busy roads being obstructed in various towns.
In Patna, hundreds of demonstrators chanting “Jai Bhim” took to the streets to protest and enforce a shutdown. They attempted to block Gandhi Setu, which links Patna with north Bihar. Protests were also held in areas such as Barh, Fatuha, Phulwarisharif, Janipur, Parsa Bazar, Sampat Chak, and Punpun, where protesters burned tyres on the roads, disrupting traffic and causing businesses near PMCH to close. Reportedly, police have used lathicharge on protesters and arrested a few in some parts of the city.
In Chhattisgarh, the bandh had a significant impact in the tribal-dominated regions of Bastar and Surguja, as well as in the Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki and Dhamtari districts. The response was more mixed in Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, Rajnandgaon, and Korba districts. Similarly, in Odisha, road and rail services experienced partial disruptions due to the protests. The bandh also elicited mixed responses in Rajasthan and Jharkhand.
In contrast, the bandh had limited impact in Punjab and Haryana, where only a few protest marches and demonstrations occurred. Assam remained largely unaffected, with schools, businesses, and offices operating as usual.
On August 1, the Supreme Court authorized states to establish sub-categories within SCs and STs, stating, “Those who truly need it should receive priority in the reservation.” The apex court ruled that sub-classification within SCs and STs is permissible, granting states the power to implement this classification for job quotas and admissions. A seven judge bench, led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, delivered the verdict with a 6:1 majority.
Political parties including the Congress, Left parties, Samajwadi Party (SP), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), and Rashtriya Janata Dal have expressed opposition to the ruling.
Even within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), there is a noticeable rift. Chirag Paswan, chief of the Lok Jan Shakti Party (Ramvilas) and a Union minister, has opposed the court’s verdict, while Jitan Ram Manjhi, founder-chief of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and also a Union minister, has supported it. Both Paswan and Manjhi are prominent Dalit leaders.
Thousands of protesters, primarily Dalit community members and activists from different organizations and political parties, took to the streets early in the morning. The demonstrations affected rail and road traffic, leading to the closure of businesses and educational institutions.
The protesters voiced their opposition to the Supreme Court's decision regarding a 'creamy layer' within SC/ST reservations, which was also supported by several Opposition parties.
Armed with posters, banners, and blue flags, supporters from the Arakhshan Bachao Sangarsh Samiti, Bhim Army, Dalit Sena, and other Dalit organizations blocked several trains at various railway stations, including Madhubani, Darbhanga, Buxar, Hajipur and Ara. The protesters also blocked several National Highways in Jahanabad, Chapra, Begusarai, Vaishali, and state highways at over a dozen locations. Additionally, there were reports of busy roads being obstructed in various towns.
In Patna, hundreds of demonstrators chanting “Jai Bhim” took to the streets to protest and enforce a shutdown. They attempted to block Gandhi Setu, which links Patna with north Bihar. Protests were also held in areas such as Barh, Fatuha, Phulwarisharif, Janipur, Parsa Bazar, Sampat Chak, and Punpun, where protesters burned tyres on the roads, disrupting traffic and causing businesses near PMCH to close. Reportedly, police have used lathicharge on protesters and arrested a few in some parts of the city.
In Chhattisgarh, the bandh had a significant impact in the tribal-dominated regions of Bastar and Surguja, as well as in the Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki and Dhamtari districts. The response was more mixed in Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, Rajnandgaon, and Korba districts. Similarly, in Odisha, road and rail services experienced partial disruptions due to the protests. The bandh also elicited mixed responses in Rajasthan and Jharkhand.
In contrast, the bandh had limited impact in Punjab and Haryana, where only a few protest marches and demonstrations occurred. Assam remained largely unaffected, with schools, businesses, and offices operating as usual.
On August 1, the Supreme Court authorized states to establish sub-categories within SCs and STs, stating, “Those who truly need it should receive priority in the reservation.” The apex court ruled that sub-classification within SCs and STs is permissible, granting states the power to implement this classification for job quotas and admissions. A seven judge bench, led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, delivered the verdict with a 6:1 majority.
Political parties including the Congress, Left parties, Samajwadi Party (SP), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), and Rashtriya Janata Dal have expressed opposition to the ruling.
Even within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), there is a noticeable rift. Chirag Paswan, chief of the Lok Jan Shakti Party (Ramvilas) and a Union minister, has opposed the court’s verdict, while Jitan Ram Manjhi, founder-chief of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and also a Union minister, has supported it. Both Paswan and Manjhi are prominent Dalit leaders.
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