Bharat Bandh intensifies: Darbhanga-Delhi Bihar Sampark Express train stopped by protesters

Update: According to the recent updates, the protestors have stopped the Darbhanga-Delhi Bihar Sampark Express train at the Darbhanga railway station.

VIDEO | Bharat Bandh: Darbhanga-Delhi Bihar Sampark Express train has been stopped at the Darbhanga railway station by protesters..

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/2GUYWND6Rw

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 21, 2024

VIDEO | Bharat Bandh: RAF deployed ahead of Dalit organisation's march which is scheduled to begin from #Jaipur's Albert Hall. #BharatBandh #BharatBandh2024

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/7RBzncw4OA

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 21, 2024

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) have extended their support to the Bharat Bandh called today in protest against the Supreme Court's ruling on the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) within reservation categories. The Supreme Court's landmark decision, delivered on August 1, has sparked widespread discontent among marginalized communities, leading to this nationwide protest spearheaded by the 'Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti.'

Mayawati Condemns SC Verdict, Supports Bharat Bandh

BSP supremo Mayawati was vocal in her opposition to the Supreme Court's decision, emphasizing the growing anger and resentment among SC and ST communities. In a string of tweets, Mayawati took her social media handle stating, "BSP supports Bharat Bandh because there is anger and resentment against the Supreme Court's decision regarding the sub-classification of SC/ST and creamy layer on 1 August 2024 due to the conspiracy against reservation by parties like BJP and Congress and their collusion to make it ineffective and finally end it."

1. बीएसपी का भारत बंद को समर्थन, क्योंकि भाजपा व कांग्रेस आदि पार्टियों के आरक्षण विरोधी षडयंत्र एवं इसे निष्प्रभावी बनाकर अन्ततः खत्म करने की मिलीभगत के कारण 1 अगस्त 2024 को SC/ST के उपवर्गीकरण व इनमें क्रीमीलेयर सम्बंधी मा. सुप्रीम कोर्ट के निर्णय के विरुद्ध इनमें रोष व आक्रोश।

— Mayawati (@Mayawati) August 21, 2024

Mayawati further criticized the ruling political parties, urging them to recognize the significance of the constitutional right to reservation for marginalized communities, as enshrined by Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar. She warned against any attempts to undermine these rights, which she said were crucial for the social justice and upliftment of OBCs, SCs, and STs.

Supreme Court Ruling and Political Reactions

The Supreme Court, in a 6:1 majority ruling, upheld the permissibility of sub-classification within SC and ST reservation categories. This decision, delivered by a seven-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, overturned a previous judgment in the EV Chinnaiah case, which had held that SCs and STs form homogenous classes and should not be sub-divided.

Justice BR Gavai, one of the judges in favor of the ruling, suggested that the state should develop a policy for identifying a 'creamy layer' even within SC and ST groups to ensure that affirmative action benefits reach the most disadvantaged. However, Justice Bela M Trivedi dissented, arguing that sub-classification within these communities was not permissible.

Akhilesh Yadav Joins the Chorus Against SC Verdict

Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav also voiced his support for the Bharat Bandh, describing the movement as a necessary effort to protect reservations. He asserted that the mass movement would "instil new consciousness among the exploited and deprived" and act as a "shield of people's power against any kind of tampering with reservation." Yadav warned that public movements are essential checks against government overreach and any attempts to undermine constitutional rights.

आरक्षण की रक्षा के लिए जन-आंदोलन एक सकारात्मक प्रयास है। ये शोषित-वंचित के बीच चेतना का नया संचार करेगा और आरक्षण से किसी भी प्रकार की छेड़छाड़ के ख़िलाफ़ जन शक्ति का एक कवच साबित होगा। शांतिपूर्ण आंदोलन लोकतांत्रिक अधिकार होता है।

बाबा साहब भीमराव अंबेडकर जी ने पहले ही आगाह…

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) August 21, 2024

Protests and Government Response

Across Bihar, protests erupted with Bharat Bandh supporters blocking roads and chanting slogans. In Jehanabad, the National Highway 83 was obstructed by protesters, while Bhim Sena members staged similar demonstrations in Sheikhpura. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) also expressed its solidarity with the Bharat Bandh, adding to the chorus of opposition against the Supreme Court's verdict.

*जहानाबाद में बंद समर्थक और पुलिस के साथ हाथापाई
नगर थाना अध्यक्ष दिवाकर कुमार विश्वकर्मा ने संभाली कमान
सड़क जाम कराया समाप्त
परीक्षार्थियों की परेशानी को देखते हुए कराया समाप्त
बंद समर्थकों को हिरासत में लिया। #BharatBand #BharatBandh2024 #BharatBandh #bharatbandhtoday pic.twitter.com/lGJlEsDcEZ

— PRASOON PANDEY (@prsnpandey007) August 21, 2024

Apart from this, visuals from across the nation have surfaced in favor of Bharat Bandh.

#WATCH | Rajasthan: Shops in Jaipur shut due to the day-long Bharat Bandh called by Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti to protest the Supreme Court's recent judgment on reservations. pic.twitter.com/91uLr51u8m

— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) August 21, 2024

#WATCH | Bihar: The 'Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti' are observing a day-long Bharat Bandh today to protest the Supreme Court's recent judgment on reservations.

(Visuals from Patna) pic.twitter.com/LqU9Mixb0Y

— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2024

In response, the Union government clarified that it has no immediate plans to implement the Supreme Court's suggestions regarding creamy layer provisions within SC/ST reservations. Minister Vaishnaw reiterated the government's commitment to adhering to the constitutional provisions laid out by Dr. Ambedkar, dismissing any notions of sub-classification within these categories.