SC/STs organizations on Wednesday called for Bharat Bandh on August 21, 2024, to stage a protest against the Supreme Court's decision to identify creamy layers in their community. However, mixed reports are coming from various states of India meaning in some states or cities protestors are staging demonstrations against the SC's decision while in some states not much intense protest is going on. Talking about the Bharat Band's impact on Punjab, protests took place in some parts of the state and some areas of Jalandhar.
In Jalandhar, the Bahujan Samaj Party is protesting at Rama Mandi Chowk, Boota Pind Chowk, Pathankot Chowk, Wadala Chowk, and other places due to Bharat Bandh. However, the leaders have announced that they will not force people to close their shops. People's work will continue and they will not be harassed. As of now, the bandh had minimal impact, with markets and businesses remaining open.
Valmiki community leaders have strongly opposed the Bharat bandh. At the same time, the police of Jalandhar district is on alert regarding the Bharat bandh. Strict security arrangements have been made by the city and rural police. So that people do not face any kind of trouble. Wherever there was an attempt to block the square, the police immediately shifted them to one side. Punjab Jalandhar Bahujan Samaj Party's city president Salvinder Kumar and senior leader Jagdish were quoted by a news daily saying that they will protest peacefully throughout the city. We oppose the decision taken by the Supreme Court of India.
What did the Supreme Court say on the creamy layer?
As per reports, on August 1, 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that states must identify and exclude the "creamy layer" of the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) from receiving reservation benefits. The court's ruling was based on the idea that the creamy layer concept undermines equality and ensures that reservation benefits reach the economically and socially disadvantaged. For the unversed, the creamy layer refers to people who are above a certain income bracket and are excluded from quota benefits