Though the bandh has been called across the country, it is unlikely that its impact will be the same all over India. According to reports, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in Rajasthan have shown a lot of support and solidarity with the move. In view of the preparations among the SC and ST communities to create an impact, the authorities have also taken measures to maintain normalcy in public life.
What will function, what won’t?
The organisers of the bandh, Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, have urged all business establishments to suspend operations on Wednesday in an exhibition of solidarity with their protest. But it is unlikely that numerous businesses across the country will oblige them.
Banks, stock markets, govt offices
The heart of any economy is the markets, banks, financial institutions, general merchant establishments that are supported by the modes of road, rail and air transportation.
While banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, stock markets will all remain open, no market committee – wholesale or retail – has so far announced their decision to down their shutters on August 21.
It is expected that supporters of the bandh will try to disrupt traffic in areas where they have greater support, overall road and rail traffic is expected to remain in functioning mode.
According to reports, schools, colleges, higher educational institutions, and petrol pumps will function as usual. But essential services such as healthcare services, ambulance, fire brigade, media, electricity supply, water supply will remain outside the purview of the bandh.
Authorities alert
The bandh might find a lot of sympathy in past of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, where the authorities are on high alert to thwart any effort to enforce the bandh. “We have instructed our officials to engage with the groups organising the bandh, as well as with market associations, to ensure effective cooperation,” DGP of Uttar Pradesh U R Sahoo told the media.
Why the bandh call
Recently the Supreme Court has decided to allow states to create sub-categories within the SC and ST groups to better target reservations and not use a blanket approach. It aims to offer reservations to those who need them the most. This has created a lot of resentment among different social and political organisations.
Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti has called a countrywide strike on August 21 following the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on reservations for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe. Biz News Business News – Personal Finance News, Share Market News, BSE/NSE News, Stock Exchange News Today
