All India Dalit Protest Registers Itself, Will IOT Impact Assembly Elections?

Published On: August 21, 2024 - The ‘Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti’ observed a day-long Bharat Bandh to protest the Supreme Court's recent judgment on the sub-classification of SC and STs. The body, while opposing the SC’s view, has listed its demands seeking greater representation and inclusion of the marginalised sections into mainstream society. Bharat Bandh was observed in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. However, the protest in Bihar didn't remain peaceful. As many as twenty-one organisations called for Bharat Bandh against the SC order. Left parties, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Rashtriya Janata Dal, SP and BSP extended support to the nationwide bandh. Amid a nationwide strike, chaos broke out in Patna and the police had to resort to lathi-charging the protestors. One SDM was also lathi-charged by mistake by a policeman as the SDM was in civil clothes not uniform.