Delhi remains unaffected by Bharat Bandh, 700 markets in operation

Dalit and Adivasi organisations have called for a nationwide Bharat Bandh on August 21 in response to a Supreme Court ruling on SC/ST reservations, but the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) confirmed that all markets and industrial areas in Delhi will remain fully open and unaffected.

Ashutosh Mishra

Written By: Manisha Pandey

Dalit and Adivasi bodies demand justice and equality for SCs, STs and OBCs

700 markets and 56 industrial areas in Delhi to operate normally

Emergency services and essential supplies to remain unaffected by Bandh

As the Dalit and Adivasi organisations have called for a nationwide strike, on August 21 in response to a recent Supreme Court ruling on SC/ST reservations, the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) said that markets in Delhi will remain unaffected and fully open.

The CTI, led by Chairman Brijesh Goyal and President Subhash Khandelwal, confirmed this after discussing the matter with over 100 market associations across the city. Despite the nationwide ‘Bharat Bandh’ announced by various organisations for August 21, Delhi’s business community has not been approached or asked for support.

The CTI officials mentioned that they had consultations with associations from major markets such as Kashmiri Gate, Chandni Chowk, Khari Baoli, Naya Bazar, Chawri Bazar, Sadar Bazar, Karol Bagh, Kamla Nagar, Connaught Place, Lajpat Nagar, and Sarojini Nagar. All of them agreed that there has been no contact from the organisers of the Bharat Bandh, and as a result, all 700 markets in Delhi will remain fully open. Additionally, all 56 industrial areas in the city will also continue their operations as usual.

BHARAT BANDH

Dalit and Adivasi organisations have called for a ‘Bharat Bandh’ on Wednesday over their demand for stronger representation and protection for marginalised communities.

The National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACDAOR) has released a list of demands, including justice and equality for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

The NACDAOR has taken an opposing view to a recent Supreme Court judgement by a seven-judge bench that, according to them, undermines the earlier ruling of a nine-judge bench in the landmark Indira Sawhney case, which established the framework for reservations in India.

The organisation is also calling for the enactment of a new Act of Parliament on reservations for SCs, STs, and OBCs, which would be protected by inclusion in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.

This, they argue, will safeguard these provisions from judicial interference and promote social harmony.

The NACDAOR has also demanded the immediate release of caste-based data on SC/ST/OBC employees in government services to ensure their accurate representation.

Although the Bandh is predicted to cause disruptions to commercial offices and public transportation, emergency services—including ambulances—will continue to run. Despite the Bandh call, banks, government buildings, schools, colleges, and gas stations will remain open. Emergency supplies like drinking water, medicines and electricity shall also remain unaffected due to the Bandh.

Although the Bandh is expected to disrupt commercial offices and public transportation, emergency services, including ambulances, will continue to operate. Despite the Bandh, school, colleges, banks, government offices, and gas stations will remain open.

Essential supplies such as drinking water, medicines, and electricity will also be unaffected by the Bandh.

Courtesy : India Today

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