Bharat Bandh today: Who called it, why, and all your other questions answered

Demanding a caste-based census, the All India Backward and Minority Communities Employees Federation (BAMCEF) has called for a Bharat Bandh today.

What is the row about?
The bandh call is a mark of protest against the Centre for not conducting a caste-based census for the Other Backward Classes (OBC). The BAMCEF is also demanding reservations for the SC/ST/OBC communities in the private sector.


The demands
BAMCEF is also protesting against the use of EVMs during elections and the issue of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Population Register (NPR).
Apart from these, the body is pushing for the implementation of a separate electorate in OBC reservation in Panchayat polls in Odisha and Madhya Pradesh, resumption of the old pension scheme, protection of labour rights and no displacement of tribal people.

BAMCEF also demanded a guaranteed minimum support price (MSP) for farmers.

Parties back call
Several parties including BJP's ally Janata Dal-United have been demanding a caste-based census in the country. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has said that a caste-based census would enable the government to work for the development of various sections of the society.
"We will start it soon and will also ensure it is implemented properly. Once the caste-based Census is done, the government can work for their development," he said.

What is open and what's closed?
Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh may see some disruptions but overall the bandh call is likely to be lukewarm. Government, private offices and schools will remain open. Cab services may not be impacted. Banks are likely to face some disruption. SBI in a filing said necessary arrangements have been made to ensure normal functioning in its branches and offices on the days of strike.