The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress, and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have announced their support for the Bharat Bandh scheduled for Wednesday, August 21, 2024. The bandh has been called by various Dalit and Adivasi organizations in response to the Supreme Court’s recent verdict on Scheduled Caste (SC) reservations.
The National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACDAOR) has voiced its opposition to the Supreme Court’s judgment, which they believe undermines the earlier ruling in the landmark Indira Sawhney case that set the framework for reservations in India. NACDAOR argues that the new verdict poses a significant challenge to the rights and representation of marginalized communities.
In a statement, JMM General Secretary Vinod Kumar Pandey expressed concern over the impact of the Supreme Court’s verdict on the SC/ST communities, saying, “The recent verdict given by the Supreme Court on the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe reservations would prove to be an obstacle in the path of upliftment and strengthening of the SC/ST classes.” He urged all JMM leaders, district presidents, secretaries, and district coordinators to actively participate in the 14-hour nationwide strike.
RJD State General Secretary and media in-charge Kailash Yadav also confirmed the party’s support for the bandh, emphasizing the need to stand with marginalized communities during this critical time. State Congress spokesperson Rakesh Sinha echoed this sentiment, stating that the Congress party has extended its full support to the bandh call.
The Bharat Bandh has also received backing from Left parties and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). The BSP accused both the BJP and Congress of colluding to weaken the reservation system, urging all political parties to recognize the necessity of reservations and refrain from undermining them.
