Patna SDM Mistakenly Struck During Lathi-Charge at Bharat Bandh Protest

Patna, August 21 — A peculiar incident unfolded at the Dak Bangla square in Patna on
Wednesday, during the nationwide Bharat Bandh. Shrikant Kundlik Khandekar, the
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Patna, was inadvertently hit by a policeman during a
lathi-charge intended to disperse demonstrators. The day-long Bharat Bandh, organized by
the “Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti,” witnessed varied responses across the The incident, captured on video, quickly went viral on social media, drawing widespread
attention. The footage shows Khandekar, dressed in civilian clothes, being struck by a
policeman who was attempting to control the agitated crowd. The SDM, visibly startled by
the unexpected blow, momentarily steps back in surprise. Recognizing his mistake, the
policeman is immediately escorted away by his fellow officers, who quickly inform him that
he has just hit a senior official. The video further shows the policeman gesturing
apologetically toward Khandekar, who appears to accept the apology as the two engage in a
brief conversation.
The incident occurred at the bustling Dak Bangla square, a key location in Bihar’s capital.
Earlier in the day, protesters, who had assembled in large numbers at the JP Golambar
intersection, managed to break through police barricades and march toward Dak Bangla. As
the situation escalated, security forces, in an attempt to regain control, resorted to using lathi
charges and water cannons to disperse the crowd. It was during this chaotic moment that
the unfortunate mishap involving the SDM took place.
This landmark decision was seen by some as a positive step toward ensuring a more
equitable distribution of reservation benefits, while others feared it could lead to further
divisions within already marginalized communities.
The “Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti,” the group behind the Bharat Bandh, has
strongly opposed the Supreme Court’s decision. The organizers have demanded that the
judgment be “reversed” and have called on the central government to “reject” the ruling.
They argue that the sub-classification of SCs and STs could undermine the unity and
collective strength of these communities, making it more difficult for them to achieve true
social and economic justice.In addition to reversing the Supreme Court’s ruling, the organizers have put forth a series of
demands aimed at addressing broader issues related to social justice and equity. These
include calls for a new Act of Parliament to strengthen and protect the existing reservation
system. They have also demanded the release of caste-based data on SCs, STs, and Other
Backward Classes (OBCs) in central government jobs, arguing that such data is essential for
assessing the true impact of reservation policies and ensuring that they are effectively
implemented.
Furthermore, the organizers are advocating for a target of 50% representation for SCs, STs,
and OBCs in the higher judiciary, a demand that underscores the persistent
underrepresentation of these communities in key decision-making institutions. They are also
pushing for the immediate filling of backlog vacancies in central and state government jobs,
as well as in public sector undertakings, to ensure that these opportunities are not lost and
that the reservation policy is fully realized.
The Bharat Bandh witnessed a mixed response across the country. While it disrupted daily
life in some regions, particularly in Bihar, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, where the impact
was most pronounced, other areas saw less participation. The mixed response highlights the
differing levels of support for the cause and the challenges faced by the organizers in
mobilizing a nationwide movement.
As the day-long bandh drew to a close, the incident involving SDM Shrikant Kundlik
Khandekar served as a stark reminder of the tensions and challenges that can arise in the
midst of large-scale protests. While the SDM was fortunate to escape without serious injury,
the incident has raised concerns about the conduct of security forces during such events and
the need for clear communication and coordination among officials to prevent similar
occurrences in the future.
The demands put forth by the “Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti” have brought the
issue of reservations and social justice back into the national spotlight. As the central
government and the judiciary continue to grapple with these complex and contentious
issues, the outcome of this latest protest movement could have far-reaching implications for
the future of India’s reservation policy and the broader struggle for equality and social justice
in the country