Bharat Bandh- Protest in many parts of Bihar-Rajasthan, Sampark Kranti Express train halted in Darbhanga

New Delhi: Dalit and tribal organizations have called for ‘Bharat Bandh’ on Wednesday demanding strong representation and security for marginalized communities. Bharat Bandh has been supported by many parties including BSP, RJD and Chandrashekhar Azad’s Azad Samaj Party. The effect of Bharat Bandh is being seen in Bihar. There are reports of demonstrations and road jams in many districts.

The organization has taken a contrary view to the recent judgment delivered by a seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court, which, according to them, undermines the decision taken by a nine-judge bench in the landmark Indira Sawhney case, which has laid down the framework for reservation in India. NACDAOR has requested the government to reject the decision as it threatens the constitutional rights of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The organization is also demanding passage of a new law by Parliament on reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs which should be protected with inclusion in the Ninth List of the Constitution.  Under Bharat Bandh, people stopped the Bihar Sampark Kranti Express train going from Darbhanga to Delhi. A huge crowd is seen protesting on the railway tracks and raising slogans.

In Madhubani, protesters have blocked traffic from rail to road. Protests are being held on the railway tracks by stopping trains in Madhubani, Jaynagar, Jhanjharpur. At the same time, they blocked roads in all NH and rural areas and raised slogans against the Supreme Court and demanded withdrawal of the decision.