New Delhi: Expressing concern over alleged dilution of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act by the Supreme Court, Dalits (those belonging to lower castes) came out in heavy numbers on Monday to enforce an all-India shutdown which cost five lives.
Maintaining that the SC/ST Act was being misused by Dalits in certain cases, the court last week stopped immediate arrest of an accused and introduced a provision for bail. Dalits have criticised the verdict claiming that the dilution of the Act will lead to more discrimination.
In Madhya Pradesh, four people died on Monday during clashes and a man was killed in firing in Rajasthan’s Alwar district. Violence was also reported from Jharkhand, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh.
- Yogi Adityanath | Chief Minister, UP
Train services were hit in parts of Bihar, Punjab and Rajasthan as protesters blocked railway tracks.
In Punjab, hundreds of protesters carrying swords and sticks forced shops to shut in Bathinda, Jalandhar and Amritsar. Traffic in Chandigarh was hit as protesters blocked highways and arterial roads. Punjab state government shut schools and colleges, postponed Board exams and temporarily suspended mobile internet services.
In Delhi, traffic came to a standstill as hundreds of protesters gathered at Mandi House. In Bihar, legislators from opposition parties demanded passing a resolution urging Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led union government to take adequate measures to undo the court order.
In the Bihar capital Patna, hundreds of Bhim Army workers took to the streets to enforce shutdown. In UP, Chief Minister (CM) Yogi Adityanath appealed for calm.
“The central and the state governments are dedicated towards the welfare of backward castes, SC & ST. We will work out a solution,” Adityanath said.
On Monday, the union government filed a petition in Supreme Court asking for a rethink on the order.
“We have filed a review petition in the Supreme Court. I appeal to all political parties and groups to maintain peace and not incite violence,” Home Minister Rajnath Singh told media.
Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said he did not agree with the reasoning behind the verdict.
“We have sought restoration of the earlier status by which any offence under the SC/ST Act was made a cognisable non-bailable offence. Lets wait and maintain peace,” Prasad said.
However, the Chief Justice of India declined to hear the plea.
- Rajnath Singh | Home Minister
“There is no urgency to list the case immediately. We refuse to list the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) for hearing for tomorrow or day after,” the court said.
After the matter could not be listed for urgent hearing, BJP leader Thawarchand Gehlot said the union government was committed to the welfare of Dalits.
“It has been our government which has further strengthened protection for backward castes by passing the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015. Our government is not only committed to protecting the rights given to SC/ST but is going one step ahead and holistically improving their lives. For years, they have been used as mere vote banks to form governments. We are empowering backward castes as nation builders to create a new India,” Gehlot told Gulf News.
Backing the Dalits, the Congress supported the nationwide shutdown.
“Today’s Bharat Bandh is the result of this government’s failure in handling Dalit issues. People irrespective of their political affiliations came together for this cause, which is commendable,” Congress leader Malikarjun Kharge said.
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said oppression of Dalits was in the DNA of BJP.
“Keeping Dalits at the lowest rung of Indian society is in the DNA of BJP. Whoever dares challenge this position is suppressed with violence,” Gandhi tweeted.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati also came out in support of the protests.
“Dalits today are going towards darkness. They are being deprived of promotion in jobs. BSP wants to thank the people who supported the Bharat Bandh today. We will continue our struggle. I am not in Parliament but we will continue with our fight outside and bring the central government on its knees,” Mayawati said.
Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee condemned the killings during the protests.
“We are shocked and pained that some of my Dalit brothers and sisters have been killed and injured. We support their cause. I appeal for peace,” Banerjee tweeted.
