Bharat Bandh in Punjab and Haryana: Sparse Impact Despite Protests

The Bharat Bandh called by Dalit and Adivasi groups against the Supreme Court's verdict on sub-classification of Scheduled Castes saw minimal response in Punjab and Haryana. Protests occurred in some areas, but public services and businesses operated typically. Security measures were heightened to maintain order.

The Bharat Bandh initiated by Dalit and Adivasi groups protesting the Supreme Court's decision on sub-classification of Scheduled Castes met with little reaction in Punjab and Haryana on Wednesday, although some protests took place.

Despite the bandh, essential services, public transport, shops, and other commercial enterprises continued to operate normally. Authorities implemented extensive security arrangements across both states to ensure law and order.

Phagwara markets and businesses remained open, although some educational institutions were closed as a precaution. Activists of Scheduled Caste welfare organizations marched from Ambedkar Park to a national highway overpass in Phagwara. Similarly, a protest march occurred in Jalandhar, but Ludhiana saw usual activities. In Hoshiarpur, all institutions functioned as normal, with Bahujan Samaj Party workers staging a minor protest.

In Haryana's Hisar, Dalit community members protested from Krantiman Park to the Mini Secretariat, but Ambala experienced no significant response.

Overall, twenty-one organizations called for the bandh against a Supreme Court order allowing states to make sub-classifications within Scheduled Castes for reservations targeting the most socially and educationally backward among them.

(With inputs from agencies.)