Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Dalit and Adivasi organizations have organized a Bharat Bandh, a nationwide strike, on Wednesday to draw attention to the need for greater representation of marginalized communities in jobs and education and to safeguard their constitutional rights.
The strike follows recent developments, including a Supreme Court verdict on the sub-categorization of quotas for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) and the controversy over lateral entry into central civil services.
On August 1, a seven-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud ruled by a 6:1 majority that states could allow further sub-classification within SC and ST categories to ensure more equitable distribution of quotas among the most backward castes. This ruling has been met with opposition from various Dalit and Adivasi groups, who argue that it undermines the landmark Indira Sawhney case, which set the framework for the current reservation system.
Adding to the controversy, on August 20, Jitendra Singh, the Minister for the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), requested the withdrawal of advertisements for lateral entry into 45 posts at the joint secretary, director, and deputy secretary levels. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, criticized this move, claiming it was an attack on the reservation rights of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and SC/ST communities.
Key Points to Know:
- Organizers and Support: The Bharat Bandh has been called by the National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACDAOR). Political parties such as Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and several left parties have extended their support to the strike.
- Demands: NACDAOR has issued several demands, including the rejection of the recent Supreme Court ruling, the creation of a new central act to protect reservation policies from judicial review, and the immediate release of caste-based data on SC/ST/OBC representation in government services.
- Affirmative Action in Private Sector: The organization has called for the filling of all backlog vacancies in central and state government departments and public sector undertakings. They also demand that companies benefiting from government subsidies or investments enact affirmative action policies.
- Impact on Public Services: While there is no official announcement on the closure of banks, government offices, and educational institutions, public services in states ruled by supporting parties may be affected. Emergency services such as hospitals and ambulances are expected to remain operational.
- Peaceful Participation: NACDAOR has urged all OBC and SC/ST groups to participate in the bandh peacefully, stressing the importance of demonstrating in large numbers.
This Bharat Bandh is a significant event, reflecting the ongoing struggles of marginalized communities to secure fair representation and protect their rights within India’s socio-political framework.
