Bharat Bandh Observed in Odisha; Evokes Lukewarm Response

Bhubaneswar: The dawn to dusk 12-hour Bharat Bandh called on Wednesday by the Bhim Army, National Confederation of Dalit Organisation, Odisha Adivasi Kalyan Mahasangha, Adivasi Ekta Parishad, SC, ST Minorities, OBC Joint Action Committee and other Dalit organizations evoked lukewarm response in Odisha.

In the morning, the members of these organizations stopped two trains – Sambalpur-Puri and Sambalpur-Rayagada Intercity Express – at Sambalpur-Khetrajpur station.

The bandh supporters picketed and blocked roads at some places in the state.  Educational institutions remained closed and vehicular traffic was affected in some places.

Most offices and business establishments were also open. Public transportation services were affected as the protesters held picketing at railway stations and bus stops in Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur, Rourkela, Rayagada, and several other places.

No untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the state. Security was heightened throughout the state for this bandh call.

This Bharat Bandh call has been given to protest against the Supreme Court’s ruling on SC/ST reservations, allowing states to create sub-categories within the groups.