No impact of Bharat Bandh in Kashi markets, BSP holds show of strength

Varanasi: The call for a nationwide bandh by Dalit and Adivasi organisations evoked no response in the city on Wednesday, although the BSP and SP held their shows of strength in different parts of the city. These organisations had called for the Bharat Bandh on Wednesday against a recent verdict of the SC that states have a right to sub-classify scheduled castes notified in the Presidential List.They demanded stronger representation and protection for marginalised communities.
The impact of the Bandh call against the classification within reservations did not appear in markets as shops were open like a normal day. However, by the afternoon, hundreds of BSP workers and leaders, along with Bhim Army activists, took to the streets. They marched to the district headquarters and submitted a memorandum to officials addressed to the President. During their march, attempts were made to push the police when the latter tried to stop them from forcing traders to pull down their shutters and enter the collectorate.
Carrying blue flags and placards with posters of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar and BSP supremo Mayawati, the activists demanded the abolition of the classification within reservations. BSP district president Ravi Kumar Advocate stated that the govt should call a special session of parliament to annul the decision on the classification of reservations.
Scores of SP leaders and workers also carried out a march in Ramnagar. The participants chanted slogans like ‘Long live PDA unity’ and ‘Stop the politics of division by providing sub-quotas within quotas.’ tnn