SC/ST organizations on Wednesday observed Bharat Bandh to protest against the Supreme Court's directives to identify the creamy layer and remove them from the benefit from reservations. The Bharat Bandh on August 21 was backed by Mayawatis'a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Despite the call of Bharat Bandh by SC/ST organizations, it was not so intense in many cities. However, Patna Police on Wednesday resorted to lathicharge in Bihar's capital on the protestors. During the lathicharge on protestors, the Police mistakenly hit an SAD who was present at the spot in civil dress. Now, Patna Police SDM lathicharge video is going viral on social media and netizens are having a great day as they are sharing memes related to it. Patna Police officials mistook the SDM as Bharat bandh supporters.
Deputy SP Patna, Ashok Kumar Singh while talking to a newswire said, "It was not a peaceful protest, they took law and order in their hands...The common people could not travel and we tried to convince them (agitators). But they did not understand. We had to use mild force to move them."
Furthermore, protesters supporting the Bharat Bandh attempted to block roads across Jehanabad, Madhepura, and Muzaffarpur in Bihar. "Five protestors were detained as they tried to disrupt traffic movement on NH-83 near Unta Chowk. They were later removed from the spot and normality was restored,” said Hulas Baitha, Sub-Inspector at the town police station.
Rajasthan also witnessed Bharat Bandh protest. Rajasthan's Law Minister Jogaram Patel appealed to the people to hold a peaceful 'Bharat Bandh'. He said the Rajasthan government will follow the decisions taken by the Central government. Most markets and businesses remain closed in Jaipur in support of the bandh.
Bharat Bandh in Punjab
In Jalandhar, the Bahujan Samaj Party protested 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.
Protests were also seen in Ludhiana. BSP leaders and workers protested against the Supreme Court's suggestion to implement a creamy layer in the Scheduled Caste reservation. BSP leaders protested with placards outside the Deputy Commissioner's office and raised slogans like stop tampering with the Constitution.
Working President Balwinder Singh Jassi reportedly informed that his party has come out on the streets to save the Constitution of the country. According to Article 341 and 342 of the Constitution, the bench of 7 judges of the Supreme Court should not have taken that decision. The protest will be held under the Constitution.