The DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance today announced a dawn-to-dusk bandh on March 31 to protest against the Supreme Court verdict staying the implementation of 27 per cent quota for OBCs.

In a resolution, the ruling DMK and its allies, the Congress, PMK and the Left, called on all parties including the AIADMK to observe the bandh. “The bandh is not against the Supreme Court order but to express the people’s strong feelings on the reservation issue,” said a resolution, pointing out that Tamil Nadu had seen several struggles for social justice.

Another resolution urged the Centre to immediately convene a meeting of both Houses of Parliament to discuss the Supreme Court judgment and find ways to overcome it. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi expressed “shock” at the Supreme Court verdict.

A strong advocate of reservation for OBCs, PMK leader Dr S Ramadoss also described the Supreme Court order as a “shock.” He said it was “surprising” that the Supreme Court had stayed a law that was unanimously passed by both Houses of Parliament.