‘Bharat Bandh’ by Dalit, Adivasi bodies disrupts normal life in Odisha

Normal life came to a grinding halt in Odisha as the dawn-to-dusk ‘Bharat Bandh’, called by the Dalit and Adivasi organisations over their demand for stronger representation and protection for marginalized communities, stopped all movements of trains, trucks, and other vehicles on Wednesday morning.

In several places, protestors picketed on train tracks, bus stands, and major stops stalling the movements of vehicles. Passengers and office goers had a torrid time as no buses were plying on roads. Public transportation services were affected as the protesters held picketing at railway stations and bus stops in Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur, Rourkela, Rayagada, and several other places.

The agitators halted the Sambalpur-Puri and Sambalpur-Rayagada trains at Khetrajpur station for 30 minutes. Later, the trains departed for their destinations. Shops, shopping malls, and other traders’ association in Bolangir, Subarnapur, Jajpur, and Angul have also extended their support to the Dalit and Adivasi organisations.

Opposing the Supreme Court judgment, the National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACDAOR) has released a list of demands and urged the government to reject the judgment, arguing it threatens the constitutional rights of SCs and STs.

The organisation is also calling for enacting a new Act of Parliament on reservations for SCs, STs, and OBCs, which would be protection by inclusion in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution. They are getting support from the Bhim Army, the National Confederation of Dalit Organisation, and Odisha Adivasi Kalyan Mahasangh.

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Emergency services including ambulances remained operational.