AAP backs fight against SC/ST ruling: Kejriwal

BJP too comes out against the Supreme Court’s decision

Members of the Rashtriya Dalit Bachao Andolan during the protest at Rajghat on Monday.

Coming out in support of those protesting on Monday against the Supreme Court’s order on the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 last month, Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal said the Centre should appoint wellknown lawyers to represent it in the case.

Mr. Kejriwal said in a tweet that the AAP supported the agitation. On Monday, Dalit organisations across the country and in Delhi held protests and a “Bharat bandh”, with incidents of violence being reported from different parts of the nation. The Delhi Assembly on Monday held a discussion on the issue, starting with Deputy Speaker and AAP MLA from Mongolpuri Rakhi Birla, who presented the calling attention motion. Wearing a black band in protest, Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam said the Supreme Court’s order on March 20 that put a stop to automatic arrests and criminal proceedings under the Act was a “dilution” of the law.

‘Advocates failed’

“The advocates representing the case failed miserably. They didn’t explain why the conviction rates are low,” said Mr. Gautam.

Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, Mr. Gautam said he condemned any violence in connection with the agitation.

Earlier in the House, the BJP too came out against the Supreme Court’s decision. Leader of Opposition 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. With Mr. Gautam being the only Cabinet member present during the discussion, Mr. Gupta said that if other Ministers, including the Chief Minister, were present, the discussion would have been more fruitful.