On August 21, various organizations across the country have called for a nationwide shutdown in protest against the Supreme Court’s recent decision regarding the creamy layer in Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) reservations. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has announced its support for the shutdown and urged its members to participate actively.BSP General Secretary Satish Chandra Mishra took to the social media platform X to call on party workers to oppose the Supreme Court’s decision vigorously while maintaining peace. He emphasized that BSP President Mayawati has strongly opposed the court’s ruling on sub-categorization. Mishra has urged all BSP workers to join the shutdown on August 21 under the BSP’s blue flag and elephant symbol, and to educate the public—especially the marginalized, oppressed, and minority communities—about the implications of the ruling. He has also stressed the need for disciplined and constitutional participation in the protest.BSP National Coordinator Akash Anand, Mayawati’s nephew, also addressed the issue on X, emphasizing that while the community is generally peaceful and cooperative, it is essential to respond firmly to what they perceive as an attack on their rights. He called for a peaceful yet decisive response to the Supreme Court’s decision on August 21.Mayawati has previously urged the Modi government to call a special session of Parliament and introduce a bill to nullify the Supreme Court’s decision. She has warned that the ruling could adversely affect Dalits and lead to potential misuse by some state governments, given the ongoing discrimination against the SC and ST communities.The “Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti” has also supported the August 21 shutdown in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling. Security agencies are on high alert, and police officials have conducted video conferences to discuss preparations with commissioners, IGs, DMOs, and SPs across various states. The Principal Secretary of Home Affairs and the Director General of Police led the meeting, instructing district officials to prepare for the planned protests. Western Uttar Pradesh has been identified as particularly sensitive, with heightened police vigilance in place.