Rajasthan bears brunt of nationwide bandh, internet services down in parts of state

All schools, colleges and coaching institutes have been kept closed today as a precautionary measure. Scheduled exams in Kota, Shekhawati and Matsya University were postponed.

Jaipur: Amidst a nationwide call for bandh today by Dalit and Adivasi organisations against the Supreme Court’s decision permitting the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), Rajasthan is observing a complete bandh with even Internet services down in Bharatpur division, which includes four districts.

All schools, colleges and coaching institutes have been kept closed today as a precautionary measure. Scheduled exams in Kota, Shekhawati and Matsya University have been postponed. Internet services have been suspended in Bharatpur, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli and Deeg Kumher. At least 25000 extra police forces have been deployed in the state to monitor the bandh.

Major market organisations have also decided to keep their shops closed. Anusuchit Jati-Janjati Aarakshan Samiti (SC-ST Reservation Bachao Samiti)_ have formed 25 teams to make the bandh successful.

Rallies by Dalit organisations are being taken out in many places including state capital Jaipur, Pali, Ajmer, Sikar. In Pali, huge rallies were taken out with slogans of Jaii Bhim and accompanying DJ music. Police and security forces are keeping a tight vigil, especially in sensitive areas.

In Bundi, protestors gathered in the markets, forced shopkeepers to close their shops and protested making their opinions clear on the issue.

In Alwar’s Ambedkar Circle. activists visited various markets, along with flags in hand. Some of the protesters were riding on bikes. The protestors reached the Collector and handed over a memorandum to the Collector. Police were accompanying the entire rally of protesters and keeping a tab on their activities.

There was some chaos in Jodhpur after a vendor selling pakoras refused to shut shop, following which a protester poured hot oil on his feet, leading to some unrest in the area.

In Dholpur district, which comes under Bharatpur division, where Internet services have been suspended, police are holding flag marches in places like Rajkheda, Bari, Baser, Sarmathura. Roadways buses are also not running in places and people, who need to travel today, are facing difficulties.

In Kota also, the bandh seems to be complete with protestors forcing shops to close. In Ajmer, at least 700 van drivers are also observing a bandh today. Even liquor shops and petrol pumps are closed in many places. However all essential services, including medical services have been kept out of the bandh purview.

In Jaipur, a big rally was taken out from the city’s iconic Albert Hall Museum located in Ram NIwas Bagh. Security forces are also present in huge numbers in the area.

In Udaipur, there was some commotion in Mochiwara area in Udaipur district after some miscreants deliberately kept some food outside a temple. People got enraged and started protesting amidst the bandh, police present there brought the situation under control.

The bandh, which is against the Supreme Court ruling to exclude the creamy layer from the SC/ST quota and its decision to permit the states to sub-classify SCs and STs while deciding if the class is adequately represented, has the support of Congress Party. Opposition leader Tikaram Jully said that it is now clear that the BJP is against reservation.

While BJP leader Kirorilal Meena, an influential tribal leader, said some people are only trying to make political gains out of SC’s ruling on excluding the creamy layer.

While several SC/ST organisations have supported the bandh, at least 30 castes including Valmiki, Nat, Bawri, Kalbeliya, Kanjar, Dhanka and Sapera communities have opposed the bandh, saying they support the SC decision and demanded sub-classification in the SC/STs, which will help the most deprived of them.