Who's behind Bharat Bandh? Bhim Army 'credits' social media for success, officials suspect greater influence

Was it Bhim Army, National Confederation for Dalit Organisations (NACDOR) or an unidentified Dalit youth, who first gave the call through a WhatsApp message for Bharat Bandh around a week ago? The top brass of security agencies in the National Capital went into a huddle as millions of demonstrators from Dalit organisations, carrying signs with slogans like “Country will be govern by Constitution and not fascism” (sic), descended on the streets across the country on Monday opposing Supreme Court ruling on the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Act.

Despite call for peaceful protest, the march ended up in violence, in which at least eight people were killed in three states — Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The security officials deliberated upon two scenarios — whether a call was given by NACDOR, led by Ashok Bharti or social media was the actual leader of this demonstration? By Monday evening, they stumbled upon a WhatsApp message sent by an unknown number which they feared could be the trigger for the huge Dalit mobilisation. But, one thing clearly emerged out of the meeting — the state’s law enforcement machinery including its local intelligence units had failed to assess the situation on the ground.

Reports flowing in the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) was about peaceful Bharat Bandh like it happened on many occasion in the past. Some reports had suggested that a call was given by Ashok Bharti-led NACDOR and few other organisations may join during a day-long protest. The agencies and informers failed to gauge probability of miscreant’s infiltration and large scale arson and use of baton by the protesters. Jai Bhagwan Jatav, chief patron of Bhim Army claimed that it was a leaderless agitation although several organisations, including his own, had participated. [caption id=“attachment_4416001” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Protesters in Ludhiana on Monday. Image courtesy: 101 Reporters[/caption] Speaking to Firstpost, Jatav said he has called a meeting on Tuesday where 25 organisations had said they will come for future course of action. “Monday’s protest was a people-led movement, there was no leader. It was mobilised through messages and social media platforms. Not a single Dalit organisation was behind it. On Tuesday, we will decide over Delhi Gherao, in case, the government fails to act. And, it may happen this month,” Jatav said. Sumedha, representative from the NACDOR, however, claimed that the call for Bharat Bandh was given by Bharti. She told Firstpost various organisations may have supported it but NACDOR was at the forefront of the protest on Monday. “Our leader (Bharti) called for the bandh on 21-22 March. 2 April was finalised and the message to observe countrywide shutdown was conveyed to other Dalit organisations,” she said. Jatav, on the other hand, dismissed the claim, indicating tussle between various Dalit organisations. The various groups and factions, he said, are trying to claim credit for the unrest, which is incorrect. Jatav said his Bhim Army curated a message received from an unidentified youth and later circulated to make the bandh successful. The message, which was circulated by the Uttar Pradesh wing of Bhim Army, said, “If you don’t do it today, your children will be harassed tomorrow on the street and others are going to be mute spectator.” Jatav allegedly told everyone to forward the message to at least 10 people.  

“We want justice for the Dalits and our agitation will continue till the government fulfils our demand,” Jatav said. A senior government official, who was part of the security meeting, on the condition of anonymity, admitted telltale signs post Supreme Court verdict they were not able to measure the magnitude of the protest which was marred by violence.

“It wasn’t totally driven by social media. There was anger and unrest but we couldn’t see what was coming. There was definitely some level of planning involved by the Dalit Organisations and help by the social media to reach out to the masses. Since law and order is a subject, we were sure the states would be able to handle it,” he said and added that unfortunate incidents has triggered a massive political controversy with Opposition looking to reap electoral dividends.