21 August Bandh Call: Bahujan Organizations Unite in Solidarity, Anticipated as a Historic Protest

New Delhi- A significant protest is on the horizon as Bahujan organizations and Dalit communities prepare for a nationwide Bharat Bandh on August 21. This call for a shutdown is in response to a recent Supreme Court ruling that has stirred considerable controversy and dissent among marginalized communities.

The Supreme Court's decision granting states the authority to create sub-categories within Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) and mandating the implementation of a creamy layer within SC-ST reservations has ignited a nationwide debate.

Many Dalit organizations and leaders argue that the ruling is discriminatory and undermines the protective measures intended for these communities.

The call for the bandh has been reportedly issued by Nawab Satpal Tanwar, Chief of Bhim Sena. As news of the bandh spreads rapidly, increasing numbers of activists are rallying in support however, no other prominent personalities are taking the ownership of the Bandh call.

On Sunday, Nawab Satpal attempted to address the media on the issue, as per media reports, the police intervened, preventing him from holding the press conference at Ambedkar Bhawan on Jhansi Road. Nawab said he was detained for some 3 hours.

Speaking with The Mooknayak, Nawab Satpal Tanwar, Chief of Bhim Sena, has revealed that preparations are underway for a major nationwide bandh on August 21. Tanwar has mobilized Bhim Sainiks to ensure a complete shutdown in response to the recent Supreme Court ruling on SC/ST reservations.

Tanwar emphasized that the bandh will be conducted with meticulous planning to ensure its success. "I have personally reached out to both large and small Dalit and Bahujan organizations and sought support from Behan Mayawati's office. The response has been overwhelmingly positive," he stated. The bandh is scheduled to run from 6 AM to 8 PM. During this period, Bhim Sainiks at each district headquarters will present memorandums to District Magistrates, demanding that the Supreme Court's judgment be nullified through an ordinance.

Tanwar assured that the bandh would be entirely peaceful, despite past challenges. "During our protest on April 2, 2018, to defend the SC/ST Act, there were attempts to incite violence and tarnish our image," he explained. He added, "I currently have 25 FIRs filed against me across 10 states, and I am on bail. I view this as a form of state suppression, but we are committed to a peaceful protest this time. We will not harm even an ant, but if any violence is inflicted upon our people, we will not remain silent."

When asked about BAMCEF national President Waman Meshram's stance on the bandh call and his lack of extended support, Tanwar expressed his intention to speak with Meshram personally and request his support. He also urged schools, industrial units, and commercial establishments to cooperate and extend their support for the bandh to minimize inconvenience. "Except for emergency services like medical, fire, and police, we are ensuring a complete shutdown," Tanwar concluded.

The call for the Bharat Bandh has gained momentum on social media, with hashtags such as #21_August_Bharat_Bandh, #SaveReservation, #SaveSCSTReservation, and #Aarakshan_Bachao trending widely. Social media activists and Dalit rights advocates are rallying support, urging communities to participate and resist the perceived injustice of the Supreme Court's decision.

Hansraj Meena, a prominent tribal rights activist and founder of the Tribal Army, has also voiced strong opposition to the ruling. He has called on the Bahujan community to remain united and vigilant against the divisive forces that are using the ruling to spread misinformation and discord. Meena emphasized the importance of protecting the unity and integrity of the community and urged people to stay informed and organized.

BSP Chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Sunday organised a press conference where she opposed the Supreme Court’s ruling on reservation for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).

In her appeal, Mayawati urged the Supreme Court to reconsider its August 1 decision and take into account the potential negative impacts on SC and ST communities.

She called for an amendment to the Constitution in the current Parliament session to prohibit sub-classification and ensure that SCs and STs are recognized as a unified group eligible for reservation.

Waman Meshram, National President of BAMCEF and Bharat Mukti Morcha, has publicly opposed the Supreme Court ruling and urged the central government to enact legislative measures to rectify it.

Meshram has indicated that if the government fails to act, his organization will call for a Bharat Bandh. However, he did not specify whether he supports the August 21 bandh call or if his organization will align with it.