Assessing Bharat Bandh Impact Across India: Which States Witnessed Unrest and Which Were Unaffected

New Delhi- The Bharat Bandh, called by Dalit and Bahujan organizations to protest the Supreme Court's decision on the "quota within a quota" for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in state government jobs and educational institutions, saw mixed responses across the country. While the bandh had partial success in the Hindi heartland states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, it failed to make a significant impact in most southern states and other parts of India.

In Rajasthan, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, the bandh saw sporadic disruptions. In Bihar, protests led by various Dalit and Adivasi groups, including the Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, disrupted train services and blocked major roads, particularly in Patna and Madhubani. Protests in Uttar Pradesh were mostly concentrated in urban areas, where demonstrators staged sit-ins and blocked highways. Madhya Pradesh also witnessed protests, particularly in cities like Bhopal and Gwalior, where supporters of the bandh took to the streets in large numbers.

Rajasthan saw a significant impact, especially in Jaipur and other major cities. Public transportation was heavily affected, with roadways and low-floor buses staying off the roads. Several shops and businesses remained closed in response to the bandh call, though the protests remained largely peaceful.

Major Impact in Rajasthan

In Rajasthan, the bandh has had a widespread effect, particularly in the capital, Jaipur. Roadways buses have come to a halt, leaving passengers stranded and frustrated. Despite orders from the Roadways administration to maintain regular bus operations, many depots chose not to run their buses due to safety concerns. The usually bustling Sindhi Camp Bus Stand in Jaipur was eerily quiet, with most buses standing still and passengers forced to turn back. Wide impact was seen in Sikar where most of the markets remained closed for the day.

Alwar and Bhilwara districts were similarly affected, with no bus services operating. The bus stands remain deserted, adding to the inconvenience faced by the public. Additionally, the low-floor buses operated by JCTSL in Jaipur have also been pulled off the roads, and several buses have been moved to nearby police stations as a precautionary measure.

In Rajsamand, all shops, except those providing essential services, have been closed. Local SC and ST leaders took to the streets, appealing to shopkeepers to support the bandh. However, the bandh in Rajsamand has been peaceful, with no reports of any untoward incidents. Police presence has been bolstered to maintain order.

Bihar Sees Protests and Disruptions

Bihar witnessed significant disruption due to the bandh. In Madhubani, several Dalit organizations staged protests, blocking train services at various stations. The situation escalated as protestors halted trains at Madhubani Junction, including the Sampark Kranti Express in Darbhanga. Several roads across the state, including major routes in Patna, have been blocked by protestors. In some areas, protestors resorted to burning tires and creating roadblocks, further hindering movement.

The police in Patna faced challenges in controlling the situation. At Dak Bungalow Square, protestors attempted to breach police barricades, leading to clashes. The police were forced to resort to lathi-charge and water cannons to disperse the crowd. Key areas in the city, such as Mahendru and Sultanpur, have been affected by the protests, causing traffic jams and inconveniences.

The situation remains tense, with the police working to restore normalcy. Patna has seen a heavy deployment of security forces in sensitive areas, and several locations, including JP Golambar and Dak Bungalow, have been transformed into virtual police camps.

The impact of the Bharat Bandh was also seen on the police recruitment exam as well. Since morning, many candidates in various districts faced significant difficulties. Due to the disruption in transportation, many were unable to reach their examination centers on time. Meanwhile, in the Sadullapur area under the Ganga Bridge police station in Vaishali district, bandh supporters stopped a magistrate who was carrying the question papers. Despite the magistrate's efforts to explain the situation, the bandh supporters did not allow him to take the papers to the exam center.

Minimal Impact in Southern States

In contrast, the southern states, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, saw minimal disruption due to the bandh. Normal life continued largely unaffected, with public transportation, businesses, and educational institutions operating as usual. The bandh failed to gather much support in these regions, as local political and social groups did not actively participate in the protests.

In other parts of the country, the bandh passed without major incidents. States like West Bengal, Punjab, and Maharashtra saw small-scale protests but no significant disruption to daily life. Protestors in these regions focused on raising awareness about their demands without resorting to large-scale blockades or strikes.

Support from Political Parties

The bandh received backing from several political parties, particularly in states like Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. Bihar's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Madhya Pradesh's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) lent their support to the protests, alongside Left parties and the Congress, which heads the INDIA alliance.

In Jharkhand, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) also extended its support to the bandh, although the state remained largely peaceful with no major incidents reported.

Notably, Union Minister Chirag Paswan, whose Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) is an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), offered "moral support" to the protesters, highlighting the growing political divide over the Supreme Court's decision.