Bharat Bandh Tomorrow: Reason For August 21 Strike, Who Called It And What Services Will Stay Open - Find Out

The Bharat Bandh scheduled for August 21, 2024, has been organised as a nationwide protest by the Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti against a recent Supreme Court ruling concerning reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). The ruling, which allows states to create sub-categories within these groups, has sparked widespread controversy.

The apex court, while creating the sub-categories, said, "Those who really need it should get priority in reservation." The primary objective of the Bharat Bandh is to challenge this ruling and demand its reversal, emphasizing the need to protect the integrity of the reservation system as it stands.

The Supreme Court’s decision to allow sub-categorization within SC/ST reservations has led to significant unrest. The court ruled that states could prioritise reservations for sub-groups within SC/STs that are more disadvantaged, stating, “Those who really need it should get priority in reservation.” This decision has been met with strong opposition, with many arguing that it could dilute the benefits intended for SC/ST communities as a whole.