Bharat Bandh Live: Clashes, lathi-charge in Bihar; road, rail links hit in Odisha
Opposition spreading misinformation on lateral entry too: Meghwal
“Opposition is spreading unnecessary misinformation...They are also causing lateral entry controversy. The biggest example of lateral entry was Dr Manmohan Singh. But PM Modi clarified this issue too. In the letter issued yesterday, you would have seen that the lateral entry advertisements have been withdrawn until the input on social justice comes. It means that PM Modi has been continuously working toward protecting the interests of SC, ST and OBC. He will continue to do this,” said Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.
Creamy layer not implemented in SC/ST quota: Union minister
The Supreme Court judgment has two parts – one issue was about creamy layer, the other issue was about sub-categorisation of the SC. On one of these issues, Supreme Court gave an observation. The observation is not a part of the judgment. When SC-ST MPs, who belong to BJP, felt that the Opposition was misleading people that with this decision creamy layer will now be a part of SC/ST, they gave a memorandum to the Prime Minister on 9th August. After a cabinet decision, the PM said that the creamy layer is not implemented in SC/ST and is not a part of this judgment. The second part is about direction, it is a part of the judgment. Supreme Court said that if the states want they can draw sub-categorisation and it imposed two conditions: 1) states will collect quantifiable data, 2) they can't give 100% reservation to whoever they are giving: Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal
Bihar: Police had to use mild force against protesters: DSP, Patna
#WATCH | Bihar: Deputy SP Patna, Ashok Kumar Singh says, "It was not a peaceful protest, they took law and order in their hands...The common people could not travel and we tried to convince them (agitators). But they did not understand. We had to use mild force to move them… https://t.co/sZNviZcowi pic.twitter.com/AhFCNKSoMQ
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2024
MP govt directs authorities to ensure peaceful 'Bharat Bandh'
The Madhya Pradesh home department has directed the collectors and superintendents of police (SPs) of all districts in the state to take necessary steps to maintain law and order situation during the day-long Bharat Bandh called by some groups over community-based reservation on Wednesday.
Veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh also extended support to Bharat Bandh.
In a circular issued on Tuesday night, the state home department directed the collectors and SPs of all districts besides police commissioners of Bhopal and Indore to maintain law and order situation in their respective jurisdictions during the Bharat Bandh.
Rajasthan largely unaffected
The Bharat Bandh has evoked a mixed response in Rajasthan, with normal life remaining largely unaffected.
While essential services have been kept out of the bandh, public transport remained unaffected in the morning.
Shops and schools in some districts were closed. Mobile internet services are suspended in Bharatpur due to the bandh call. In some areas, people faced inconvenience as fewer buses were available.
Elaborate security arrangements were made across the state to maintain law and order.
Suresh Saini, general secretary of Jaipur Vyapar Mahasangh, said market associations in the city voluntarily decided to keep shops closed to avoid any inconvenience to shopkeepers and customers due to the protests.
The SC ST Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti will hold a rally in Jaipur against the August 1 Supreme Court order on the sub-classification of SCs.
The members of SC and ST communities gathered at Ram Niwas Garden to join the rally which will pass through various markets including Chaura Rasta, Johari Bazar, Tripolia Bazar and MI Road.
Many other markets in areas like Tonk Road, Bajaj Nagar and Malviya Nagar were also closed. Some shops, however, were open.
A Home Department official said police officials across districts have been instructed to ensure public safety and law and order during the bandh.
Additional police teams have been deployed to prevent any untoward incidents.
Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph issued an advisory for maintenance of law and order in all police station areas of the commissionerate.
The Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) has issued orders for safe operation of all its buses.
RSRTC Chairman and MD Shreya Guha said that in view of the Bharat Bandh, all chief managers, managing directors and traffic managers have been directed to remain present at the headquarters.