While five were killed in cross-firing in Madhya Pradesh alone, one each died in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan on Monday in clashes with police during a nationwide bandh called by several Dalit outfits against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
There were violent protests in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Protests took place at several places in Bihar and Jharkhand also. In Punjab, public transport services have been suspended and in Gujarat, the authorities cancelled dozens of State transport bus routes in sensitive districts, fearing protests.
The Dalit outfits are protesting against the Supreme Court’s March 20 interpretation of The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989.
“Two people were killed in Gwalior while one person each died in Bhind and Morena districts in cross-firing during protests,” Inspector General (Law and Order) Makrand Deoskar told PTI in Bhopal. Curfew was imposed in several places and the Army was called out in Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh. The Army and paramilitary forces were also put on standby in Punjab.
Supreme Court judgment
The Supreme Court observed in the judgment that the anti-atrocities law, which protects Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes from casteist slurs and discrimination, has become an instrument to “blackmail” innocent citizens and public servants.
Issuing a slew of guidelines to protect public servants and private employees from arbitrary arrests under the Atrocities Act, the court directed that public servants can only be arrested with the written permission of their appointing authority. In the case of private employees, the Senior Superintendent of Police concerned should allow it.
But Dalit organisations, including the Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch, and some political parties fear the dilution of the provisions might lead to increase in violence against Dalits.
Review plea filed in court: Ravi Shankar Prasad
Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the Central government had "filed a comprehensive review petition on the order on the SC/ST Act and is committed to the welfare and protection of Dalits."
Here are the updates:
One killed in U.P.
In UP, one person died in Muzaffarnagar and nearly 75 persons including 40 policemen were injured in violent protests in various parts of the State. Police has detained nearly 450 people there.
Police fire shots in the air in Agra
The Agra police fired shots in the air to diperse mobs that vandalised cars, hotels and pelted stones at them.
More than 200 people have been detained, said Meerut SSP Manzil Sani. “Police are going to book all of them. The National Securities Act will be slapped against all of the conspirators and hooligans involved in acts of violence. There have been no casualties so far.”
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati has said that strong action must be taken against the anti-social elements indulging in vandalism, but Dalits and tribals who are staging protests for their rights should not be targeted under its garb. “Our party will not stay silent if Dalits and tribals who are out on the streets fighting for their rights and dignity are made scapegoats for the violence and vandalism.”
In Nagpur
Members of several Dalit organisations took out protest at Dadar against Supreme Court's guideline in SC/ST Atrocity Act.
Members of several Dalit organisations took out protest at Dadar against Supreme Court's guideline in SC/ST Atrocity Act.
Protesters belonging to Dalit community in Nagpur stage dharnas. Train services have been stopped and road traffic halted. A few buses were reported to be vandalised.
RAF companies in U.P., M.P.
The Centre has sent eight companies of the anti-riot Rapid Action Force (RAF) to Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to tackle protesters. The Ministry of Home Affairs has said it is closely monitoring the situation.
Each RAF company consists 90-100 men.
Section 144 in Barmer
Prohibitory orders under Sec. 144 Cr.P.C. has been imposed in Barmer and Karauli districts of Rajasthan following violent clashes. Internet services have been suspended till April 3.
Firing in Madhya Pradesh
Curfew was imposed in Morena, Gwalior and Bhind districts after student leader Rahul Pathak died in firing in Morena district and several others were injured in violence, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Umesh Shukla told PTI .
The Army was called in Bhind district, where six people were injured in firing by protesters, Bhind Superintendent of Police Prashant Khare said.
- PTI
Scuffles in parts of Bihar
Protests took place at several places in Bihar and Jharkhand. Scuffles between protesters and the police were reported at Motihari, Sasaram, Sitamarhi, Ara and other places in Bihar.
Opposition leaders took out a march in Patna in support of the protest, while in Ranchi, police used tear gas and resorted to baton charge on student protesters. Leaders across party line staged protests outside in the Assembly premises.
Rahul says RSS/BJP responsible for plight of Dalits
Congress president Rahul Gandhi has said the RSS and the BJP were responsible for the plight of Dalits and that he saluted “brothers and sisters” from the community who have hit the streets to demand ''protection of their rights from the Modi government.''
"It is in the DNA of the RSS/BJP to keep Dalits at the lowest level in Indian society. Any one who challenges this thought is crushed with violence. Our Dalit brothers and sisters are today on the streets demanding protection of their rights from the Modi Government. We salute them," he said on Twitter.
- PTI
One killed; Karni Sena, Dalit activists clash in Rajasthan
In Rajasthan, one person died and 26 others, including nine policemen, were injured in Alwar.
Meanwhile, Karni Sena and Dalit activists clashed in Barmer, Rajasthan, and about 20 persons are injured. Two ipersons were njured in clashes between bandh supporters and shopkeepers in Alwar. Plying of Rajasthan Roadways buses from the Central Bus Stand in Jaipur is stopped as a precautionary measure.
Rail traffic on the Delhi-Jaipur route is affected. The New Delhi-Ajmer Shatabdi Express was halted at Khairthal in Alwar district. Reports from the district said stones were pelted at the Jaipur-Delhi double-decker.
BRTS buses in Ahmedabad go off the roads on the day of protests by Dalit activists, April 2, 2018
In Uttar Pradesh, Dalit protesters burnt a police outpost in Meerut. Few motorcycles were also torched. Twenty-five protesters were arrested in Deeg (Bharatpur) after they damaged some Rajasthan Roadways buses. A police chowki was attacked in Merta (Nagaur).
Government lawyers will take up the case: Union Minister
Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Monday, "The government does not agree with the reasoning given by the Supreme Court in this matter," Mr. Prasad said, adding "On behalf of the Ministry of Social Justice, the government has filed a review petition. Government lawyers will be taking up the case with all preparation and authority at their command."
"As far as the larger narrative of late, that discrimination against Dalits is becoming an issue for pure political aims, the BJP wishes to say with all authority at its command that the Narendra Modi government’s commitment to welfare of Dalits and scheduled tribes is complete and total. The BJP has the largest number of SC/ST and backward MPs all because of the support of the people," he added.
Mr. Prasad tweeted on Sunday that a review petition by the Central government against the Supreme Court judgement shall be filed "positively" on Monday.
Protest on railway track
In Rajasthan, trains have been stopped on the Mumbai-Jaipur route. The Jaipur Metro has come to a halt. Protesters are staging demonstration on railway track near suburban railway stations in Jaipur. Several shops are shut.
Dalit outfits take to the streets of Jaipur
In Gujarat
In Gujarat, the Congress has supported the bandh call given by Dalit outfits. The State authorities have cancelled dozens of State transport bus routes in sensitive districts fearing protests.
Protesters take to the streets of Gandhinagar on the day Dalit outfits called for a nationwide bandh against the alleged “dilution” of the SCs/STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
Public transport services suspended in Punjab
Rapid Action Force personnel stand guard in Amritsar on Sunday
In Punjab, the CBSE has postponed class 12 and class 10 examinations scheduled to be held today at the request of the State government. The Punjab government has also taken a decision to keep all schools shut for the day. Public transport services across the State have been suspended.
(With inputs from Mahesh Langa, Mohammed Iqbal, Mohammad Ali, Omar Rashid, Amarnath Tewary and PTI).
