Normal life in Khariar town of Nuapada district was completely affected on Sunday as a result of a shutdown in opposition to the ruling of the Supreme Court that the States are not bound to make reservations, nor is reservation in promotions a fundamental right.
The bandh call in Nuapada district was given by the Dalit Adhikar Manch in support of a Bharat Bandh call at the national level.
"We demand withdrawal of the anti-reservation ruling by the Supreme Court. The Government should also withdraw CAA and NRC," said Dalit Adhikar Manch president Kamal Charan Tandi, who led the strike at Khariar.
Hundreds of people gathered at Boden Chhak of Khariar town to express their support to the bandh. Former Chairman of Khariar NAC Nimai Tandi and others like advocate Jyotilal Banjare, Kishor Bag and Tejraj Bag were present.
Life was also badly affected in Balangir town and elsewhere in Balangir district due to the 12-hour Bharat Bandh.
Shops and other business establishments remained closed and both Government and private buses were off the roads. The agitators detained the Surat-Puri Express train for a while.
As it was Sunday, the Government offices did not come under the bandh purview. As it was Sunday, the Government offices did not come under the bandh purview.
Notably, the Supreme Court on February 7 gave a judgement that reservation of SC/ST/OBC is not a fundamental right.
“We (the aforesaid category) are given protection by Constitution due to the effort by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. We oppose this judgement. Today, people have supported the bandh whole heartedly. We demand withdrawal of this order,” said Kuna Bag, an activist of the Balangir Dalit Samaj, which called the bandh.