WATCH: Mob Tries to Torch School Bus with Children Onboard During Bharat Bandh in Bihar

Gopalganj (Bihar): A tense situation unfolded in Bihar’s Gopalganj today as a mob attempted to set a school bus, carrying several children, ablaze during the nationwide Bharat Bandh called by certain groups against a recent Supreme Court ruling on reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs). However, swift intervention by the local police and district administration prevented a potential tragedy.

Visuals from the scene showed the yellow school bus, filled with children, encircled by a crowd wielding sticks and stones. A man was seen setting a tyre on fire directly beneath the bus, while several other burning tyres littered the road.

Gopalganj Superintendent of Police Swarn Prabhat stated that a high alert was issued in anticipation of the Bharat Bandh, leading to the deployment of a significant police force and magistrates across the town. He further mentioned that the police had identified individuals involved in creating disturbances using drones and would be filing FIRs against them. Those who attempted to set the school bus on fire would be sent to jail, the SP assured.

The Bharat Bandh was called by certain Dalit organisations in opposition to a recent Supreme Court judgment that they perceive as undermining the landmark Indira Sawhney case, which established the framework for reservations in India.