Bharat Bandh / Know why Bharat Bandh is happening today, what are their demands

Bharat Bandh: A 14-hour Bharat Bandh has been called in India on Wednesday. This bandh is being done against the Supreme Court's decision to implement creamy layer and quota within quota in Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservation. This movement has been organized by the National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organizations (NACDAOR). The organization has described this decision of the Supreme Court as against the constitutional rights of Dalits and Adivasis and has demanded the central government to cancel it.

Objective of Bharat Bandh

The main objective of Bharat Bandh is to challenge this decision of the Supreme Court and demand its withdrawal. NACDAOR and other organizations believe that this decision of the court is contrary to the basic principles of reservation. The organizations say that the court should reconsider the decision of quota within quota. NACDAOR has appealed to all Dalits, Adivasis and OBC community people to participate in the peaceful movement.

Demands and issues

NACDAOR has demanded the release of caste data of all SC, ST and OBC employees working in government jobs in its demands. Along with this, the organization has also demanded the appointment of judicial officers and judges through the Indian Judicial Service. They say that caste-based data of SC/ST/OBC employees in government services should be released immediately so that their accurate representation can be ensured. Apart from this, the establishment of an Indian Judicial Service Commission has also been demanded for the recruitment of judicial officers and judges from all sections of the society, so that 50% representation of SC, ST and OBC categories can be ensured in the higher judiciary.

Organizations and political parties participating in Bharat Bandh

This Bharat Bandh has been supported not only by Dalit and tribal organizations, but also by regional political parties of many states. Parties like Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Bhim Army, Azad Samaj Party (Kashiram), Bharat Adivasi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, LJP (R) have also supported the bandh. Congress has also supported this bandh.

Controversial decision of Supreme Court

The Supreme Court recently gave its verdict in the case related to creamy layer and quota within quota in SC/ST reservation. The Constitution Bench decided by a majority of 6-1 that the states have the right to create quota within quota for reservation. This means that the state governments can create sub-categories for the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe categories, so that the most needy can get priority in reservation.

This decision of the Supreme Court overturns an old decision of 2004, in which the court had said that 100% quota cannot be given to any one caste within SC and before deciding the quota of any caste included in SC, there should be solid data of its share.

Reasons for protest

This decision of the Supreme Court is being opposed across the country. Those protesting believe that this decision is against the reservation policy and it will have a negative impact on the existing system of reservation. They argue that reservation for SCs and STs is aimed at social justice and rectifying historical injustice, and not just for their economic progress.

The call for Bharat Bandh has once again given rise to a debate in the country about social justice and constitutional rights. It remains to be seen how much impact this bandh will have on the government and the judiciary and whether this movement will be able to achieve its objectives.