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On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, a collective of various Adivasi-Dalit organizations in Kerala will hold a statewide hartal (strike) to protest a recent Supreme Court ruling. The ruling allows for sub-classification within the reservation categories for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). This hartal is part of a larger nationwide bandh (general strike) called by Bahujan organizations across India in response to the verdict.
Wtff is this Bharat Band .
— Aniruddh Tailor (@tailor_aniruddh) August 19, 2024
Read this they are literally threatening that ye band rahega ,ye nhi khulega etc. Do it democratically,itna hi constitution ko mante ho to ,jisko aapka support karna hoga wo band rakhega ,why impose or threatening somebody. #21_अगस्त_सम्पूर्ण_भारत_बंद pic.twitter.com/jpRM03h8k1
The Supreme Court's decision has sparked important concern among these communities. The ruling grants states the authority to subclassify Scheduled Castes in the Presidential List. This means that states can create smaller groups within the broader SC and ST categories to give them "more" preferred treatment in areas like public employment and education.
For many within the Adivasi-Dalit communities, this ruling is seen as a move that could potentially divide their already marginalized groups. The concern is that sub-classification may lead to an unequal distribution of benefits, favoring certain sub-groups over others. This could undermine the original intent of reservation, which is to uplift all members of these communities equally.
हक की लडाई मे निमंत्रण नही भेजे जाते जिनका ज़मीर जिंदा हो वो खुद चले आते हैं।
— Sonakshi Meena (@sonakshi8881) August 19, 2024
21 अगस्त को शांतिपूर्ण भारत बंद रहेगा। #21_अगस्त_भारत_बंद_रहेगा#SaveReservation #SCSTReservation #SCSTआरक्षण #BharatBand#21_अगस्त_भारत_बंद_रहेगा pic.twitter.com/cWqVOgVo5w
The nationwide bandh and the statewide hartal in Kerala are intended to send a strong message to the government and the judiciary. Protesters argue that the Supreme Court's decision could weaken the unity among Scheduled Castes and Tribes, leading to further marginalization of the weak sections within these communities.
In Kerala, the hartal is expected to have a significant impact, with participation from various Adivasi-Dalit organizations and supporters. Public transportation, businesses, and educational institutions might be affected as demonstrators take to the streets to express their disagreement.
Band rahega Bharat #21_अगस्त_भारत_बंद_रहेगा pic.twitter.com/VLEEdEIM6k
— 𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑚𝑎 (@Lailalaila51991) August 20, 2024
The protest highlights the deep-seated concerns within the Adivasi-Dalit communities about the future of reservation policies in India. While the Supreme Court's ruling aims to provide more targeted benefits, it has also raised fears of separation within these communities, which could potentially mix the overall impact of positive action.
As the hartal unfolds, it is clear that the issue of sub-classification within reservation categories is set to be a controversial topic, with far-reaching implications for the social and political landscape of the country. The outcome of these protests may influence future discussions on how best to achieve social justice for India's excluded communities.
