Union Minister Athawale Criticizes 'Political' Bharat Bandh Over SC/ST Reservation Ruling

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has called the Bharat Bandh announced by the Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti 'political' and unnecessary. Despite Supreme Court's ruling on a creamy layer in SC reservations, Athawale says Prime Minister Modi assured it won't be implemented. Protests and police action continue nationwide.

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has criticized today's Bharat Bandh, describing it as a 'political' move while stating it was unwarranted. He asserted that the bandh was unnecessary and highlighted the Supreme Court's stance on the creamy layer in the Scheduled Caste reservations. However, he noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured that the creamy layer would not be implemented in these reservations.

Athawale emphasized that SC reservations are based on caste as per the Constitution created by Babasaheb Ambedkar, arguing there was no need for a nationwide strike over this issue. He reiterated his opposition to the creamy layer in SCs and STs but called the Bharat Bandh a political action. This nationwide strike was called by the Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti to protest the Supreme Court's ruling on SC/ST reservations.

In Patna, police resorted to baton-charging protestors supporting the day-long Bharat Bandh in reaction to the SC's recent judgement. In Rajasthan's Bikaner district, a lockdown-like atmosphere prevailed. SC/ST communities formed groups to enforce the shutdown, while police maintained heightened vigilance to prevent any untoward incidents. Protestors marched from Kote Gate to the collector's office as part of their demonstration.

Similar shutdown impacts were seen in Ranchi, Jharkhand, where major roads were blocked by bandh supporters burning tyres. In Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior district, stringent police arrangements were made ahead of a protest rally called by the Bahujan Samaj Party and Bhim Sena as protests against the Supreme Court's judgement continued.

The Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling on August 1, asserting that states have the authority to sub-classify SCs and STs. The court, in a 6:1 majority judgement, stated that adequacy of representation should be based on effective, rather than quantitative, representation. Six separate opinions were delivered in this significant case.

(With inputs from agencies.)