NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) will ask the
Modi government to appeal against the
Supreme Court order putting checks on implementation of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, arguing that it would lead to an increase in caste atrocities against Dalits. The top Dalit watchdog held a meeting on Thursday and expressed concern over the apex court’s judgment.
“We have decided to write to the prime minister and the president that the government should appeal against the
SC order,” NCSC chairman Ram Shankar
Katheria toldTOI. In a judgment that sparked concern among SCs and STs, the SC on Tuesday said police should hold a preliminary inquiry on allegations before filing a case under POA Act. It also introduced the provision of anticipatory bail in the law.
Katheria said, “This court order will encourage incidents of atrocities against Dalits.” Alarm bells went off in the NCSC a day after
Congress demanded the Centre file an appeal against the SC order, while accusing the Centre of poorly defending the POA Act in the top court with the objective of facilitating its dilution. Questioning the claim that POA Act was being misused, Katheria said, “The police will cite this court order to save its skin. As far as misuse is concerned, the police should be held accountable. The police have the powers to investigate fairly.” Former NCSC chairman and Congress MP P L Punia said the SC directive “significantly weakened decades of progress made in fighting injustice to our people.”
