April 16 opposition parties in Tamil Nadu stir on dilution of SC/ST Act

CHENNAI: Despite being preoccupied with the struggle to retrieve the right of Tamil Nadu on Cauvery waters, the opposition parties on Friday announced they would hold a demonstration in Chennai on April 16 against the dilution of certain provisions of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.After chairing a meeting of the opposition parties , DMK working president M K Stalin said, “Demanding recall of the SC order that dilutes SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, we have decided to stage a massive protest in Chennai on April 16. ”  

Welcoming the decision, D Ravikumar, general secretary of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), which is part of the united opposition in TN, said it is a positive development that the entire opposition in the State is up in arms against the apex court’s move.“We have already been staging protests at certain places on behalf of our party. Now, the entire opposition in Tamil Nadu has taken up the issue in its hand. This will certainly put pressure,” he told Express.