New Delhi, February 27: After the Supreme Court on February 13 paved way for eviction of over 10 lakh Tribal people and other forest dwellers whose land claims were rejected, the tribals and Dalits across the nation have called for a Bharat Bandh on March 5, reported Times of India. Angry over the top court's decision, tribals will demand the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government to bring forth an ordinance to protect their rights, as stated in the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. Activists Question Govt's Silence as 10 Lakh Tribal Families Set to be Evacuated From Forests.

On March 5, tribals in the states like Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Gujarat, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Northeastern states will call for a peaceful bandh. Dalit and tribal activist Ashok Bharti told the Times of India that bandh on March 5 will be called after only after their demands are met. Watch: Rahul Gandhi Dances With Tribals in Odisha, Video Goes Viral.

To call off the bandh, tribals will be demanding the forest rights acts to be restored as well as the discussion on the 13-point roster system of appointments in colleges, universities and government organisation. As the 13-point roster constricts the entry of SCs, STs and OBCs in government institutions, the tribals have also demanded an ordinance to reverse the reservation system in appointments to ensure that lower cast receives better opportunities.

On February 13, the Supreme court had ordered the eviction of 10 lakh tribals and forest dwellers from forest land across 16 states. This move from the top court came after the BJP-led central government failed to defend the Forest Rights Act, which protects tribals/forest dwellers rights. The written order from the same was released on February 20.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 27, 2019 10:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).