Strike in India in support of low-caste rights, against Supreme Court judgment
New Delhi: A general strike is being observed across India today to press for justice and equality for Dalits, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes in the country.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the strike has been called by the National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACDAOR).
The NACDAOR has opposed a recent Indian Supreme Court judgment, which it believes undermines the framework for reservations established by the landmark Indira Sawhney case. The organization has urged the government to reject this judgment, citing threats to the constitutional rights of SCs and STs.
The organisation’s demands include Wnactment of a new Act of Parliament on reservations for SCs, STs, and OBCs, immediate release of caste-based data on SC/ST/OBC employees in government services, establishment of an Indian Judicial Service to recruit judicial officers and judges from all sections of society, with a target of 50% representation from SC, ST, and OBC categories in the higher judiciary and filling up of all backlog vacancies in central and state government departments, as well as public sector undertakings.
The NACDAOR has appealed to Dalits, Adivasis, and OBCs to participate in a peaceful agitation today.
