A day after the Union government moved a review petition in the Supreme Court on an order diluting the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act, BJP president Amit Shah said his party was committed to the welfare of Dalits and that the government had not in any way delayed the filing of the plea.
The court order was pronounced on March 20 and the review petition filed on April 2. There had been criticism that the government had taken its time to decide to file a review petition.
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‘Took immediate steps’
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“Right from the day the Honourable Supreme Court gave a judgment on the SC/ST Atrocities Act, the Central government acted in an immediate and informed manner. An effective review petition has been filed that will protect the rights of Dalits,” said Mr. Shah, over criticism that the filing of the review petition was tardy after a nation-wide bandh on Monday by Dalit organisations left nine people dead.
He said the perception that his party was against the welfare of Dalits was part of a “script” by opponents presaging an electoral engagement.
“The script is now old, before every election, the same vested interest groups start spreading panic about reservation. The BJP’s stand is clear, which I am once again stating — we fully believe in the Constitution given by Babasaheb and the rights it has given to SC/ST communities,” he said.
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He squarely blamed Opposition parties for the virulence of the protests on Monday. “Due to the politically driven manifestations of a microscopic minority of dejected and rejected political parties, crores of innocent people suffered. These parties owe our Dalit sisters and brothers an apology for their misdeeds,” he said.
“The Congress, which is mocking the DNA of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the same party which defeated Dr. Ambedkar not once but twice. Made flimsy excuses to ensure his portrait was not placed in the Central Hall. Denied him a Bharat Ratna. India has seen through their negative politics,” he said in a series of tweets.
He added that the Modi government had in fact strengthened the provisions of the SC/ST Act in 2015. “This was done in line with our commitment to the welfare of the SC & ST communities.”