Bharat Bandh protestors set fire to a Onboarded School Bus

On August 21, 2024, a horrifying incident took place in Gopalganj, Bihar, during the national Bharat Bandh protests. The rallies, organized by several SC-ST groups in response to a recent Supreme Court verdict on Scheduled Castes (SC) quota, escalated into violence when a mob attacked a school bus carrying children. Protesters, in a shocking display of aggression, placed flaming tires beneath the bus, risking the lives of the students on board.

Incident Caused by the Bharat Bandh Protestors

As the school bus traveled on Nagar Thana Road, a mob blocked its path and surrounded the vehicle. In a shocking act, they lit tires under the bus, filling the area with dense smoke and putting the children in grave danger. However, due to the swift action of local police, led by Gopalganj Superintendent of Police Swarn Prabhat, the situation was contained. The police successfully evacuated the bus, ensuring no injuries occurred.

Video Shared by the news agency IANS contains the visuals of the Incident –

Bihar: During the Bharat Bandh in Gopalganj, agitators set fire at Arar More in the city.

During this, when a school bus full of children passed by, some protesters stopped the bus and attempted to set it on fire pic.twitter.com/DVYxIHIIzy

— IANS (@ians_india) August 21, 2024

Political Response to Violent Protests

The Bharat Bandh 2024 protests immediately sparked strong reactions across the political spectrum. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar swiftly condemned the violence, labeling it an “unacceptable breach of peace and public safety.” He assured the public that those responsible for the school bus attack would face severe consequences. Kumar stressed that while the right to protest is essential in a democracy, violence, especially when it involves children, cannot be tolerated.

Moreover, in Delhi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also condemned the incident. He pledged the central government’s full support to Bihar in maintaining law and order. Shah urged for nonviolent protests and highlighted the government’s commitment to swift justice. Additionally, he warned against any form of violence that endangers lives.

Opposition parties, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress, quickly criticized the state government for its failure to control the violence. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav accused the Bihar government of negligence, arguing that the administration should have been better prepared for the protests, given the sensitive nature of the issue. Yadav demanded an impartial investigation and insisted on accountability for those responsible.

Background of the Protests

The Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti organized the Bharat Bandh to protest the Supreme Court’s decision allowing states to subclassify Scheduled Castes for reservation purposes. The ruling, aimed at helping the most disadvantaged members of the SC community, raised concerns among some groups about the potential dilution of their reservation benefits. Consequently, this led to widespread protests across the country, with Gopalganj experiencing some of the most intense violence.

Conclusion

The Gopalganj incident underscores the dangers of protests turning violent. While the Bharat Bandh sought to raise legitimate concerns about reservation policies, the violent actions of some protesters overshadowed the cause and put innocent children’s lives at risk. Fortunately, the quick response from law enforcement averted a disaster. However, the event has reignited debates about the importance of peaceful protests in a democracy.

As the country deals with the aftermath of the Bharat Bandh, efforts will likely focus on preventing similar incidents in the future. The political response to the Gopalganj incident was swift, but the long-term impact on public discourse and reservation policies remains uncertain.

Authorities have pledged to bring the offenders to justice, emphasizing that violence during protests will not be condoned.

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Details in the Articles are collected from trusted Sources you can visit The Times of India for more details.

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