Bhubaneswar, Aug 21: Normal life in Odisha came to a standstill on Wednesday due to a dawn-to-dusk ‘Bharat Bandh’ organized by Dalit and Adivasi groups. The protest, aimed at demanding stronger representation and protections for marginalized communities, effectively halted train, truck, and other vehicle movements across the state.
Protesters blocked train tracks, bus stands, and major transportation hubs, severely disrupting public transportation. Commuters and office workers faced significant difficulties as buses were grounded and railway services were stalled. In Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur, Rourkela, Rayagada, and other cities, picketers disrupted services at railway stations and bus stops.
Support for the bandh was widespread, with businesses and traders in Bolangir, Subarnapur, Jajpur, and Angul joining the protest.
The National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACDAOR) spearheaded the bandh in response to a recent Supreme Court ruling. NACDAOR has issued a list of demands, urging the government to overturn the judgment, which they argue undermines the constitutional rights of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). They are calling for new legislation on reservations for SCs, STs, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) to be included in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.
The protest has garnered support from various groups, including the Bhim Army, the National Confederation of Dalit Organisation, and the Odisha Adivasi Kalyan Mahasangh. Despite the widespread disruption, emergency services, including ambulances, continued to operate.
