Dalit activists protest ‘dilution’ of SC/ST Act
Tribune News Service
Bathinda, April 28
Members of various Dalit organisations under the banner of the Lok Ekta March gathered in front of the District Administrative Complex here and staged a protest against the Central government for “diluting” the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The protesters raised slogans against the Central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They alleged that if the decision is not rolled back, they would intensify the protest.
Members of the Bharat Kisan Union (Ekta) Ugrahan and Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union also participated in the protest.
Later, the protesters took out a protest march from the ADC to Fire Brigade Chowk, passing through Fauji Chowk and Hanuman Chowk.
Convener of the Lok Ekta March Lacchman Singh, who is also general secretary of the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, said, “A number of incidents are being reported in which Dalits are targeted, but instead of making the law more strict, the government had diluted the Act.”
He said, “It was an anti-Dalit policy of the Central government. It is gradually trying to weak the SC/ST reservation policies. We will never let this happened.”
Rupinder Kaur, former member of national council of applied research, JNU, said, “Since the BJP came to power, a feeling of insecurity among the SC/ST and other oppressed classes have increased. We feel that there should the decision should be reviewed in national interest.”
She said the Centre had to immediately file a review petition in the Supreme Court so that the SC/ST Act remained effective.
Demands
- The Decision of “diluting” the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act) be rolled back.
- Education and employment for all.
- The Dalits should get land.
- Cases registered against the Dalits during the protest on Bharat Bandh be cancelled.
