Bharat Bandh: Public life, rail services affected in parts of country

Multiple Dalit organisations have called for a "bandh" on Monday to protest against the alleged "dilution" of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Why have they called for a Bharat Bandh?

The Supreme Court (SC) had on March 20 diluted the provisions of the SCs/STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act to protect honest public servants discharging bona fide duties from being blackmailed with false cases under the Act.

The top court said that government servants should not be arrested without prior sanction and private citizens too should be arrested only after an inquiry under the law.

However, Dalit organisations, including the Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch and various political parties are concerned that dilution of these provisions could lead to increase in violence against Dalits.

Measures taken to avoid untoward incidents

Punjab is expecting some disturbance during the day and the state government has ordered suspension of public transport services for Monday.

The government has suspended mobile internet, SMS and dongle services, except voice calls since 5 pm on Sunday. The ban would remain in effect until 11 pm on Monday.

What has happened so far?

Early reports suggest that Dalit organisations and some Left organisations had blocked trains in Bihar’s Forbesganj and Arrah, closer to Patna along with Odisha's Sambalpur.

Visuals from Punjab suggested that shops and daily activities remained shut.

There have been no reports of violence so far.

CBSE exams postponed due to Bandh

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), in a statement late on Sunday said that it had postponed all class 10 and 12 exams scheduled in Punjab for Monday state on a request made by the state government.

The next date of the examinations will be announced soon the board said.

However, exams will be held as per schedule in the Union Territory of Chandigarh along with the rest of the country.