Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday said changes in Acts due to isolated incidents of misuse would cause more trouble in society. He was referring to the controversy over the SC, ST Act at the celebrations of the 111th birth anniversary of Babu Jagjivan Ram here.
“Intolerance in society has already grown. It is not the job of the governments to tell people what to eat. People eat and dress as per their traditions and ancestral practices and every individual should get equal access to resources. Overbearing attitude will only lead to unrest,” he said.
“There are ways to tackle misuse of the Act. As Dr. B.R. Ambedkar said implementation of Acts depends on the people who make it. When I was CM for united AP, I saw the two-tumbler system in villages. Dalits were not allowed to walk before upper caste houses wearing footwear. Showing that actions matter more than mere talk, I constituted Justice Punnaiah Committee and addressed the issues of the SCs and the STs,” said Mr. Naidu.
To file implead petition
Mr. Naidu said the State would file implead petition in the Supreme Court.
A resolution would be moved in the Assembly against the ruling and our concern would be conveyed to the Centre.
The Chief Minister was all praise for Babu Jagjivan Ram and recalled his contributions to the nation. He said ₹50 crore had been sanctioned for “Dr. Babu Jagjivan Ram Samatha Sadhikara Spoorthi Vanam” in the capital region where his statue, convention centre and others would come up on 10 acres.
He said the TDP government was spending the maximum amount under the SC/ST sub-plan.
Minister for Social Welfare N. Anand Babu, AP Housing Board Chairman Varla Ramaiah, SC, ST Commission chairman K. Sivaji and others were present. Mr. Naidu and other leaders garlanded the statue of Jagjivan Ram at Ramavarappadu ring road.
