Police personnel lathi-charge protestors during the 'Bharat Bandh' called by SC/ST organisations over reservation issue, in Patna. Pics/PTI
A nationwide strike, known as "Bharat Bandh," is taking place across the country in response to a recent Supreme Court ruling on SC/ST reservations
The Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti announced the Bharat Bandh as a mark of protest against the SC's ruling on SC/ST reservations
The impact of the bandh is also being seen in Jharkhand's capital city, Ranchi. The roads of Harmu Chowk, Kathal Mode, and Chapu Toli Chowk, have been completely blocked. The bandh supporters are protesting by burning tyres on the road
The police are also on alert in Uttar Pradesh's Noida where forces have been deployed in large numbers. The Joint Commissioner of Police of Noida, Shiv Hari Meena, said that the Police are conducting foot marches to ensure law and order is not disturbed
Meanwhile, Union Minister Jayant Singh Chaudhary said, "The 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"
The apex court in a landmark ruling on August 1, ruled that states have the power to sub-classify SCs and STs and said that the authority concerned, while deciding if the class is adequately represented, must calculate adequacy based on effective and not quantitative representation
The Supreme Court ruled by a majority judgement of 6:1, that sub-classification within the SCs and STs reservation is permissible. As many as six separate opinions were delivered in the case
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