Bharat Bandh highlights: Vehicular traffic disruption in some districts of Bihar, police lathi charges protesters in Patna

The effects of the bandh were clearly seen in regions dominated by tribal and Dalit communities in districts like Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Surendranagra, Sabarkantha, and Aravalli where markets in cities and semi-urban areas remained closed.

"We held a discussion with over a 100 market associations of Delhi, and they informed us that none of the organisations (who called for Bharat Bandh) asked them for support nor informed them regarding the Bharat Bandh. The festival season is already underway, so there seems no viable reason to shut Delhi markets. Hence, CTI has decided that over 700 markets of Delhi will remain open today," says Brijesh Goyal, Chairman, Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI).

Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi called those who called for Bharat Bandh ​​selfish elements. He said, "They are elder brothers, they do not want the welfare of the younger brother, we thank the Supreme Court who talked about classification."

Sharswati Chandra, Chief Public Relations Officer of East Central Railway, told PTI, "Protestors disrupted movement of rail traffic at Ara, Chausa , Darbhanga, Begusarai and Rajgir for some time in the morning. However, the situation was immediately brought under control and protestors were removed from railway tracks and stations. Now, the movement of trains is normal."

Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar says, "Extensive police force have been set up for the Bharat Bandh called by various political parties and organisations. Our officers are constantly on the ground with the concerned magistrates. Leaflets are being collected from all places. The situation is under control in the entire Uttar Pradesh. No untoward incident has been reported anywhere... Talks have been held with important persons of all parties and everyone has assured that there will be no disturbance of any kind... We want to assure the people of the state that law and order will not be allowed to deteriorate under any circumstances."

District officials and police in Gwalior are maintaining strict vigil ahead of protest calls by the Bahujan Samaj party and Bhim Sena. Police personnel are taking rounds and barricades have been put up, along with drone cameras for the security arrangement in the district.

While talking about the lathi-charge on the supporters of Bharat Bandh, Patna Deputy SP told news agency ANI that the protest was not peaceful. They took law and order in their hands, he added.

"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 back," the officer stated.

"Dalits, SC, ST, and OBCs are constantly agitated, they are living in constant fear. It is their democratic right to hold peaceful protests if they feel threatened," says Congress leader Pawan Khera on X.

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.

Supporters of Bharat Bandh have entered the district collectorate premises in Agra. Police already remain on high alert in and around Agra city. Activists of Bahujan Samaj Party are on the roads in Mainpuri to support Bharat Bandh call.

Regarding the nationwide Bharat Bandh today in protest against the Supreme Court's decision on SC/ST reservation, Union Minister Jayant Singh Chaudhary says, "Supreme Court had commented, after which the Law Minister also clarified it in Parliament. The Cabinet has also clarified its opinion, so now there is nothing left..."

Security has been beefed up in the Odisha secretariat, heads of department building and other important places in the state. The agitators detained trains at Bhubaneswar and Sambalpur while passenger buses did not operate on different routes. The protestors also staged demonstrations in different places and blocked several roads including national highways.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh extended support to Bharat Bandh today. In a post on X, Yadav wrote, "The mass movement to protect reservation is a positive effort. It will instill new consciousness among the exploited and deprived and will prove to be a shield of people's power against any kind of tampering with reservation. Peaceful movement is a democratic right,"

RAF deployed ahead of Dalit organisation's march which is scheduled to begin from Jaipur's Albert Hall.

Private bus services remained suspended in Jharkhand's capital Ranchi in view of ongoing Bharat Bandh. The ruling Jharkhand Muti Morcha (JMM) had expressed its support for the bandh.

The Centre has stated that it does not intend to implement the Supreme Court's verdict directing states to apply creamy layer provisions to reservation benefits for SC/ST groups.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explained that the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Modi, reviewed the Supreme Court's suggestion and concluded that the NDA government will follow the Constitutional provisions established by Baba Saheb Ambedkar. He emphasized that the Constitution does not mandate a creamy layer within reservations for SCs and STs.

The National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACDAOR) has expressed strong opposition to a recent Supreme Court verdict issued by a seven-judge bench. They argue that this decision contradicts a previous ruling by a nine-judge bench in the landmark Indira Sawhney case, which established the framework for reservation policies in India.

Several opposition political parties, including the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress, and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), have extended their support for the Bharat Bandh today.

Demonstrators block NH 83 in Jehanabad's Unta as nationwide protests start picking up.

Despite the Bharat Bandh, banks across the country will remain open, with no nationwide closures expected.

Critics argue that this ruling threatens the foundational principles of social justice by potentially depriving certain groups within the SC/ST communities of their fair share in reservations. In response, the Bharat Bandh has been organised to challenge this decision, with participants demanding its reversal to ensure that all sections of the SC/ST community continue to receive equal benefits without discrimination or division.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has expressed its support for the Bharat Bandh today.

Akash Anand, the BSP's national coordinator, voiced the community's discontent with the Supreme Court's ruling. He stated, "There is a lot of anger against the SC order among the SCs and STs. To protest against the order, our community has given a call for Bharat Bandh. We will protest in a peaceful manner on August 21," in a post on microblogging site X.

The Bharat Bandh is gaining extensive support, particularly from SC/ST groups in Rajasthan. Many social and political organisations have also thrown their weight behind the protest, underscoring the critical nature of the issue at hand. This bandh is not only a reaction to the Supreme Court's recent decision but also a broader appeal to safeguard the existing reservation system, which is viewed by many as essential for advancing social equity across India.

Senior civil and police officials held a meeting to assess the preparation for the bandh to avoid violence. All divisional commissioners, district magistrates and senior police officers attended the meeting through video conferencing and were directed to be prepared for the bandh.