Various organizations across the country have called for a ‘Bharat Bandh’ on August 21 against the Supreme Court’s decision on the creamy layer in Scheduled Caste and Tribe reservation. Many parties including BSP are supporting this bandh.
In such a situation, the question is why Bharat Bandh has been called? Which is that decision of the Supreme Court, which the Dalit organizations are opposing? What are the demands of Dalit organizations? Why is lateral entry in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) under question? What will remain open and what will remain closed during the Bharat Bandh.
Read to know the answers to many such questions…
What is the decision of the Supreme Court?
While giving the verdict on the creamy layer in SC-ST reservation, the Supreme Court had said, “All SC and ST castes and tribes are not the same class. Some castes may be more backward. For example – sewer cleaners and weavers. Both these castes come under SC, but the people of this caste are more backward than other castes. For the upliftment of these people, the state governments can sub-classify SC-ST reservation and fix a separate quota. Doing so is not against Article 341 of the Constitution.”
Along with the decision to fix a quota within the quota, the Supreme Court also gave necessary instructions to the states. It said that the state governments cannot take this decision arbitrarily. Two conditions will also apply in this.
What are those two conditions
- 100 percent quota cannot be given to any one caste within SC.
- Before fixing the quota of any caste included in SC, there should be a solid figure of its share.
The Supreme Court gave this decision while hearing the petitions in which it was said that only a few castes included in the Scheduled Caste have got the benefit of reservation. Due to this many castes have become backward. There should be a quota within the quota to bring them into the mainstream. This argument was being opposed by the 2004 decision, which said that Scheduled Castes can be classified.
Which parties are supporting Bharat Bandh?
Dalit organizations across the country have announced Bharat Bandh on August 21. They are also getting the support of Bahujan Samajwadi Party supremo Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad Bharat Adivasi Party Mohan Lathait. Along with this, leaders of some parties including Congress are also in support.
In which states is the possibility of Bharat Bandh being explored?
The possibility of Bharat Bandh is being explored across the country including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
What are the demands of those calling for?
The Dalit organizations calling for Bharat Bandh are demanding the Supreme Court to withdraw or reconsider the decision of quota within quota.
What will be closed during Bharat Bandh?
So far no state government has officially issued guidelines regarding Bharat Bandh. Police-administration has been put on alert. Officials are taking extensive steps to ensure the safety of the public during the demonstration.
Public transport services may be affected during the Bharat Bandh. Private offices may be closed at some places.
These services will continue
Emergency services like hospitals and ambulances will remain operational during the Bharat Bandh on August 21. No order has come from the government yet regarding keeping banks and government offices closed. Therefore, it is believed that banks and government offices will also open on Wednesday.
What is being searched about Bharat Bandh?
People in the country are searching with different keywords regarding Bharat Bandh. Such as why will there be Bharat Bandh tomorrow, Bharat Bandh, is Bharat Bandh tomorrow, is Bharat Bandh tomorrow or not, etc.
Why is there a ruckus about lateral entry?
Lateral entry in UPSC means direct recruitment of people from the private sector to big posts in the government. Its objective is- experts should be involved in the administration and competition should remain. Under lateral entry, joint secretary, director or deputy secretary are recruited in the government. The central government had issued a vacancy for the recruitment of 45 officers on August 17.
Will reservation not be applicable in lateral entry?
In this regard, BJP IT cell in-charge Amit Malviya says that the same reservation rules will be applicable in the lateral vacancy issued by the commission, which are applicable in any other UPSC exam.
At the same time, the Department of Personnel and Training of the Government of India, in response to an RTI, said that reservation is applicable in government jobs through 13 roster points.
