Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao espouses Dalit cause, urges PM to speak with CJI

HYDERABAD: Supporting the Dalits in their fight against the alleged dilution of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has said the entire country and society should “stand by Dalits who are economically, socially and politically suppressed for generations”.

Condemning the attacks on Dalits that took place during Bharat Bandh on Monday, Rao said here on Tuesday that special rights were incorporated in the Constitution and successive central governments enacted laws to protect the rights and interests of the Dalits. He said the governments had a bounden duty to ensure that the laws and Acts made for Dalits should be enforced properly.

Rao said Dalits felt that the recent Supreme Court guidelines weakened and diluted the laws and Acts meant for their protection. The judiciary should take into account their feelings, agony and opinions. The governments, which are to  implement these Acts, should also respond to the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court reflecting the larger Dalit sentiment. “Prime minister Narendra Modi should speak with the chief justice of India in this regard and tell him how the guidelines issued by the court will punch holes in the SC/ST Atrocities Prevention Act,’’ Rao said in a statement.