Bharat Bandh live updates: Dalit outfits block traffic in Gujarat, trains stopped in Jaipur

A Bharat Bandh has been called by several Dalit organisations against the alleged “dilution” of the SCs/STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Updates

Government committed to Dalit welfare and protection: Ravi Shankar Prasad

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Monday said that the central government had "filed a comprehensive review petition on the order on the SC/ST Act and is committed to the welfare and protection of Dalits."

"The government does not agree with the reasoning given by the Supreme Court in this matter," Mr. Prasad further added and said, "On behalf of the ministry of social justice, the government has filed a review petition. Government lawyers will be taking up the case with all preparation and authority at their command."

"As far as the larger narrative of late, that discrimination against Dalits is becoming an issue for pure political aims, the BJP wishes to say with all authority at its command that the Narendra Modi government’s commitment to welfare of Dalits and scheduled tribes is complete and total. The BJP has the largest number of SC/ST and backward MPs all because of the support of the people," Mr. Prasad added.

Dalit outfits block traffic in Gujarat, trains stopped in Jaipur

In Rajasthan, trains have been stopped on the Mumbai-Jaipur route. The Jaipur Metro has come to a halt. Protesters are demonstrating at railway tracks near suburban railway stations in Jaipur. Several shops are shut.

Dalit outfits take to the streets of Jaipur   | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

In Gujarat, the Congress party has supported the bandh call given by Dalit outfits. The State authorities have cancelled dozens of State transport bus routes in sensitive districts featuring protests.

Protesters take to the streets of Gandhinagar on the day Dalit outfits called for a nationwide bandh against the alleged “dilution” of the SCs/STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act   | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Situation tense in Punjab

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad tweeted on Sunday that a review petition by the Central Government against the SC judgement on SC/ST Protection Act shall be filed "positively" on Monday.

Rapid Action Force personnel stand guard in Amritsar on Sunday   | Photo Credit: PTI

The situation is tense in Punjab where the CBSE has postponed class 12 and class 10 examinations scheduled to be held today, at the request of the State government. The Punjab government has also taken a decision to keep all schools shut for the day. Public transport services across the State have been suspended.

The Supreme Court observed in a judgment on March 20 that the anti-atrocities law, which protects Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes from casteist slurs and discrimination, has become an instrument to “blackmail” innocent citizens and public servants. Issuing a slew of guidelines to protect public servants and private employees from arbitrary arrests under the Atrocities Act, the court directed that public servants can only be arrested with the written permission of their appointing authority. In the case of private employees, the Senior Superintendent of Police concerned should allow it.

But Dalit organisations, including the Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch, and some political parties fear the dilution of the provisions might lead to increase in violence against Dalits.

Inputs from Mahesh Langa, Mohammed Iqbal, PTI