TIL Desk/National/New Delhi/ Tribal and Dalit rights organisations have called for bharat bandh on Tuesday protesting against the 13 February Supreme Court order, which had directed at least 21 states to evict traditional forest and tribal dwellers whose claims over the forest land have been rejected by authorities.
Although the apex court put a stay on its order after a petition was filed by the Centre on 27 February, rights groups are demanding that the government issue an ordinance to ensure that the rights of the marginalised communities are protected.
Adivasi groups across the states have called upon political and social activists to join them in their march from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar, Delhi as part of the bandh on Tuesday. The aim is to highlight the issue of restoring the Forest Rights Act.
According to media reports, many Dalit groups have also decided to join the tribal outfits in their strike, in order to protest against the apex court upholding the Allahabad High Court order regarding reservations of SC/STs in the appointment of faculty members in universities.