Apr 02, 2018 03:39 PM IST | Source: Moneycontrol.com
Bharat Bandh LIVE: SC declines urgent hearing of PIL on SC/ST Act ruling; 4 killed in MP
Live updates from the Bharat Bandh protests across the country, where SC/ST organisations are protesting against the Supreme Court's order diluting the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
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One person was killed in police firing in Alwar district of Rajasthan. Police was trying to stop the mob from stone pelting.
Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party chief, Om Prakash Rajbhar, today supported the Supreme Court's ruling on the SC/SCAct, arguing that "innocent people" were harassed. "The decision of the Supreme Court is absolutely appropriate, as the SC/ST Act is widely misused similar to the Dowry Prohibition Act. Innocent people are harassed in the garb of this Act. A case should be registered only after probe by a magistrate-level officer," he said.
In Lucknow, a massive protest is underway at main Hazratganj crossing. Heavy forces have been deployed but reports suggest that the protesters have been peaceful
Protesters are openly brandishing swords in Punjab's Firozpur
Electricity supply stopped at many places in Agra
Incidents of stone pelting on buses were reported in north Maharashtra. "Protesters pelted stones on four state transport buses, including the Shahada-Padsalda bus, at Shahada in Nandurbar district," a police official told PTI.
"Perversion towards Dalit community, dictating atrocities against Dalits. Encroachment on Dalit jobs, budget cuts on Dalit welfare. Conspiracy to end the Dalit/ Tribal anti-oppression Law. This is the real face of PM Modi and BJP government," tweets Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala
The Supreme Court declines urgent hearing of a PIL against the SC/ST ruling. CJI Dipak Misra refuses to list matter for tomorrow or day after. The PIL was mentioned by a lawyer for the SC/ST organisation, but the CJI said there is no urgency
Protesters in Meerut vandalised the town collectorate and court premises. They also burned several vehicles. Intermittent firing could be heard from the area
'Bharat Bandh' has hit the national capital with protesters blocking roads at Connaught Place in New Delhi. Few protesters have been detained by Delhi police. Traffic snarls are being reported as well
"The remarks of the Supreme Court have hurt us terribly. If the review petition is properly filed by BJP, then they must ensure that all these adverse remarks are deleted otherwise we won't let any BJP leader touch Ambedkar statue on April 14," says Independent Dalit MLA Jignesh Mevani
One person has died in Morena and curfew has been imposed in the area, ANI reported. Section 144 has also been imposed in parts of Gwalior and Sagar in Madhya Pradesh
"We can understand the anger of SC/ST youth but can't understand why some political parties are making an issue out of it," said Ram Vilas Paswan, president of Lok Janshakti Party
We have filed the review petition in Supreme Court. I appeal to all political parties & groups to maintain peace and not incite violence, says Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh
Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan appeals to the protesters to maintain peace and law and order
Mumbai remains largely unaffected by the Bharat Bandh. Traffic police officials said road conditions were normal, while the local police are monitoring the situation to ensure that there are no law and order issues
"The central and state governments are dedicated to the welfare of backward castes, SC and ST. I appeal to all to not disturb law and order. If there are any issues at all, you can bring them to the government's notice," says Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath