Bharat Bandh Highlights: ‘Protestors don't know why they are doing so,' says Union minister

Bharat Bandh news live: “Those who are doing this, even they don't know why they are doing so. The respect that SCs and STs have under PM Modi govt and he also has made clear his stand about the reservation that no one can touch reservations, but the opposition is diverting the people,” said Union minister Banwari Lal Verma.

Bharat Bandh news live: Accusing opposition parties of ‘politics’ on the reservation issue, BJP MP Faggan Singh Kulaste has said that the Centre has already clarified its stand on the Supreme Court's recent verdict on reservations.

“The judges have given their opinion. I personally along with 60-70 MPs met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this issue. The PM told us that the creamy layer provision (sub-classification) will not be implemented among SCs and STs," he sai.

Bharat Bandh news live: The effects of the bandh clearly seen in regions dominated by tribal and Dalit communities in districts like Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Surendranagra, Sabarkantha, and Aravalli, where markets in cities and semi-urban areas remained closed.

Bharat Bandh news live: Members of Bahujan Samaj Party joined a march of Dalit organisations in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur. BSP supremo and ex-UP chief minister Mayawati, has extended her support to the bandh.

Bharat Bandh news live: Workers of Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party take out a march supporting the bandh in Kanpur. They also enforced closure of shops.

Bharat Bandh news live: Patna SDM Shrikant Kundlik Khandekar was lathi-charged by a policeman, who mistook him as a Bharat Bandh supporter.

The SDM was dressed in civil clothes.

Bharat Bandh news live: District officials and police in Gwalior are maintaining strict vigil ahead of protest calls by the Bahujan Samaj party and Bhim Sena.

Police personnel are taking rounds and barricades have been put up, along with drone cameras for the security arrangement in the district.

Bharat Bandh news live: Speaking about the lathi charge on the supporters of Bharat Bandh, Patna Deputy SP told ANI that the protest was not peaceful.

"They took law and order in their hands. The common people could not travel and we tried to convince them (agitators). But they did not understand. We had to use mild force to move them back," the officer added.

Bharat Bandh news live: Protesters supporting the Bharat Bandh attempted to block roads across Jehanabad, Madhepura and Muzaffarpur in Bihar.

“Five protestors were detained as they tried to disrupt traffic movement on NH-83 near Unta Chowk. They were later removed from the spot and normality was restored,” said Hulas Baitha, Sub-Inspector at the town police station.

Bharat Bandh news live: Rajasthan's Law Minister Jogaram Patel appealed to the people to hold a peaceful 'Bharat Bandh'.

He said the Rajasthan government will follow the decisions taken by the Central government.

Most markets and businesses remain closed in Jaipur in support of the bandh.

Bharat Bandh news live: Supporters of Bharat Bandh in Firozabad raised slogan of "Jai Bhim Jai Bhim" to praise Dr BR Ambedkar.

Bharat Bandh news live: Protestors from the Bahujan Samaj Party marched towards Agra city from Tedi Bagia area in Agra to Aligarh road causing road jam. Police remain on alert but are silent spectators at present.

Bharat Bandh news live: The call for bandh has had minimal impact in Prayagraj and other neighbouring districts.

The BSP and Dalit organisations are expected to march in the afternoon and hand over their memorandum to district officials.

Bharat Bandh news live: The call for bandh has had minimal impact in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut and neighbouring districts.

Opposition parties and Dalit organisations are expected to march in the afternoon and hand over their memorandum to officials.

Bharat Bandh news live: The call for bandh has had minimal effect in Eastern UP districts, including Varanasi, so far.

BSP members are expected to undertake a march in the afternoon.

Bharat Bandh news live: Supporters of Bharat Bandh have entered the district collectorate premises in Agra.

Police already remain on high alert in and around Agra city.

Activists of Bahujan Samaj Party are on the roads in Mainpuri to support Bharat Bandh call.

Bharat Bandh news live: A police force has been deployed in Firozabad's Jasrana town to keep an eye on protesters who might force vendors to shut doors.

A scooter and motorcycle rally was organised in the Aliganj area of Etah in support of Bharat Bandh.

Private bus services remained suspended in Jharkhand's capital Ranchi in view of ongoing Bharat Bandh.

Ruling Jharkhand Muti Morcha (JMM) had expressed its support for the bandh.

Bharat Bandh news live: Protestors gathered in Dhanoli area, in outskirts of Agra, and took out juloos asking shopkeepers to keep their shops closed.

Police remain on high alert to prevent any possible law and order situation.

Bharat Bandh news LIVE: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said the Bharat Bandh will instill a new consciousness among the exploited and deprived and will prove to be a shield of people's power against any kind of tampering with reservation.

“Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar had already warned that the Constitution will only work if the intentions of those implementing it are correct. When the governments in power will tamper with the Constitution and the rights given by it through fraud, scams and scandals, then the public will have to take to the streets. Public movements put a check on unbridled government,” the Kannauj MP posted on X.

Supporters from Bhim Sena have blocked roads and chanted slogans in Bihar's Sheikhpura.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar has expressed its support for the Bharat Bandh.

Bharat Bandh news LIVE updates: Supporters of Bharat Bandh from the Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti have blocked the National Highway 83 in Bihar's Unta.