BSP backs bandh call on SC quota issue

Jalandhar, August 20

With the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) deciding to support Bharat Bandh on Wednesday on the issue of Supreme Court decision of “quota within quota”, the call is likely to have an impact in Jalandhar where protests have been planned at six locations.

Though there have been no messages on keeping shops shut, there are reports that the protests will be held in the city at Rama Mandi, Buta Mandi and Pathankot Chowk. In the rural belt also, protests have been planned at Ballan near Kartarpur, Phillaur and Adampur.

BSP leader Balwinder Kumar said, “Since our party supremo Mayawati has issued us directions to back these protests, we will protest at six locations. Our party is also against the Supreme Court ruling of applying the principle of creamy layer in case of reservation for SCs.”

The BSP leaders are also questioning the silence of the Congress leadership on the issue. Jalandhar Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi has also chosen to maintain silence on the matter, especially since the Valmik community had taken a stand against him during the Lok Sabha elections for not supporting them on the issue of sub-categorisation under the reservation policy.