#BharatBandh turns ugly; curfew imposed after many states including Rajasthan, MP witness violence

New Delhi, April 2: Several Dalit organizations across the country have called on for ‘Bharat Bandh’ registering its protest against the dilution of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act by Supreme Court. However, the protest has turned ugly in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi and Jharkhand. 

Notably, on March 20, to stop misuse of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe act, the Supreme Court said that there shall be no immediate arrest in cases lodged under SC/ST Act against public servants. However, several Dalit organizations have started protesting against dilution of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act that has turned ugly as so far 4 people have been killed while many others were injured.

Hundreds of protestors carrying swords, sticks, baseball bats and flags forced shopkeepers and other establishments in Punjab’s Jalandhar, Amritsar and Bathinda to shut down after which curfew was imposed. Similar protests have been reported from Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi and Jharkhand.

Unfortunately, in Madhya Pradesh, 4 people have been killed so far. In Rajasthan, showrooms and shops were vandalized after which curfew was imposed in many parts of the state. Internet services have been blocked in various part of the states.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh appealed all political parties to maintain peace and not incite violence. UP CM Yogi Adityanath said that the central and state government are dedicated towards the welfare of backward castes, SC and ST. “I appeal to all to not disturb the law and order. If at all there are any issues you can bring them to governments notice,” he added.

Earlier, in the day, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “Today govt has filed a petition on the judgement by Supreme Court on the SC/ST Act. We don't agree with the SC's order. Opposition politicising the Dalit issue.”

BACKGROUND:

The Supreme Court on March 20 diluted the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, in a bid to protect honest public servants discharging bona fide duties from being blackmailed with false cases under the Act.

Taking note of the misuse of the stringent Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against government servants, the apex court said that a preliminary probe by an officer not below the rank of deputy superintendent is a must before arresting a public servant.

The judgment stated, “no arrest may be effected, if an accused person is a public servant, without the written permission of the appointing authority and if such a person is not a public servant, without the written permission of the Senior Superintendent of Police of the District.”