Samajwadi Party Chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav extended his support for the Bharat Bandh called by various groups in response to the Supreme Court’s recent decision allowing creamy layer sub-categorization within the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) categories.
Akhilesh Yadav expressed his views on social media platform X, emphasizing the importance of public movements in checking the power of the government. He stated, “The mass movement to protect reservation is a positive effort. It will instill new consciousness among the exploited and deprived and will prove to be a shield of people’s power against any kind of tampering with reservation. Peaceful movement is a democratic right.”
He also referenced Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, stating, “Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar had already warned that the Constitution will only work if the intentions of those implementing it are correct. When the governments in power tamper with the Constitution and the rights given by it through fraud, scams, and scandals, the public will have to take to the streets. Public movements put a check on unbridled government.”
Widespread Support for Bharat Bandh
In addition to Akhilesh Yadav, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mayawati has also extended her support to the nationwide bandh. The Bharat Bandh was organized by 21 organizations across the country in opposition to the Supreme Court’s decision, which allows for the sub-categorization of SC and ST groups. This decision introduces the concept of creamy layers in the SC and ST quotas, similar to what exists in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. The organizations argue that this move undermines the fundamental principles of reservation and have called for a reversal of the decision.
The bandh has garnered significant attention, with leaders like Yadav and Mayawati underscoring its importance in safeguarding the rights of marginalized communities.
