The Delhi Assembly on Thursday discussed the need and importance of the SC/ST Act. The House also raised concerns over the recent judgment by the Supreme Court that will dilute the stringent provisions of the law that act as deterrent to crimes against these communities, affecting the condition of the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the national Capital.
“The Ministers, MLAs and MPs are being attacked in various steps and how can we expect the security of the general public,” said Rajendra Pal Gautam, Minister for Social Welfare, SC/ST and Gurdwara Election.
Talking about the implementation of the law, Gautam said, “I have experienced police do not take the complaints of the SC/ST people and minorities. After the Supreme Court verdict, cases against them will increase.”
Gautam also claimed various crimes against the minorities in Delhi and all over India are increasing. “Everywhere in India, the minorities are in fear and the judiciary should always support the rights of minorities. If such decision gets finalized, the people will lose faith in the judiciary and that will be a black day of India,” he added.
Other MLAs also raised the issue and urged the Speaker to have the discussion on this issue. Later, the Speaker allowed a short duration discussion on the issue. Various MLAs expressed their concerns as to how police manipulates the complaints submitted by the people from the SC/ST community not only in the city but in other part of the country. That's why they need a stringent law for the protection of their human rights.
Earlier, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the Centre should appoint well-known lawyers to represent it in the case.
BJP MLAs too came out against the Supreme Court's decision. The leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta said that the BJP did “not support” the ruling and asked that along with the Centre, the Delhi Government should intervene in the matter in the Supreme Court.