Vehicular traffic across several districts in Bihar was disrupted on Wednesday as protesters took to the streets in support of the Bharat Bandh, called by various groups opposing the Supreme Court’s decision on sub-categorisation within SC/ST reservations.
The bandh, which saw sporadic blockades and clashes, prompted police to use mild lathi-charge at several locations, particularly in Patna, Darbhanga, and Jehanabad, to control the situation.
In the early hours, protesters blocked railway tracks at Darbhanga and Buxar, halting the Bihar Sampark Kranti and Farakka Express trains for a short period.
The disruptions extended to other districts, including Ara, Chausa, Begusarai, and Rajgir, where rail traffic was briefly interrupted. Authorities from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and local police managed to disperse the protesters, allowing normal train operations to resume.
Sharswati Chandra, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of East Central Railway, confirmed that while the disruptions affected rail traffic in multiple areas, the situation was quickly brought under control.
"The protestors disrupted rail traffic at several key points, but our personnel responded swiftly to restore normalcy," Chandra said.
In Patna, the state capital, the situation turned tense at Dak Bungalow Chowk, where a significant number of protesters gathered, blocking the movement of traffic.
As the crowd grew, police resorted to a mild lathi-charge to disperse the demonstrators, who had broken through police barricades.
Patna's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajeev Mishra stated that the situation was promptly managed and no serious injuries were reported.
"The security personnel had to use mild force to clear the roadblock at Dak Bungalow Chowk. The situation is now under control," Mishra reported.
In Jehanabad, the protests escalated when agitators clashed with security personnel on National Highway-83 near Unta Chowk. The demonstrators, attempting to block traffic, were met with resistance from the police, leading to the detention of five individuals.
"The protesters were quickly removed, and normal traffic resumed shortly after," a police officer informed.
Elsewhere, in districts such as Madhepura, Muzaffarpur, Saran, Begusarai, Hajipur, and Purnea, protesters attempted to disrupt vehicular movement by burning tyres and setting up roadblocks.
However, security forces responded promptly, dispersing the crowds and restoring order. The bandh was widely supported by various groups, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and other allies of the INDIA bloc, who have expressed their opposition to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on SC/ST reservations.
Independent Lok Sabha MP from Purnea, Rajesh Ranjan, also known as Pappu Yadav, was seen leading demonstrations in Patna and other parts of the state. Yadav criticised the NDA government, accusing it of undermining the reservation rights of SC/ST and other backward classes.
“The Centre’s actions are a direct attack on the rights of the SC/ST and extremely backward communities. This verdict threatens the foundational principles of reservation,” Yadav told media persons in Purnea.
Meanwhile, despite the disruptions, recruitment exams for constable positions in Bihar Police, Bihar Special Armed Police, and other units proceeded as scheduled across several districts.
The state government had issued strict instructions to police forces to ensure the safe transportation of aspirants to examination centers amidst the bandh.
The Bharat Bandh, called by 21 organisations nationwide, marked a significant day of protest against the Supreme Court’s August 1 ruling.
The protesting groups argue that the decision could severely harm the existing reservation framework and are demanding a review of the verdict.
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