Dalit organisations hold protest demonstrations

Question rationale of claims of misuse of the Atrocities Act

Various dalit organisations held protest demonstration in front of the Ambedkar Statue at Tank Bund in Hyderabad on Monday in protest against the Supreme Court directive on SC/ST Atrocities Act.

Various dalit organisations in the city held a protest demonstration on Monday, against the Supreme Court directive to the Centre to review Prevention of SC/ST Atrocities Act.

The organisations under the banner of Dalit Bahujan Front held placard demonstration near Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s statue on Tank Bund. They raised slogans demanding that the Centre file a review petition against the SC directive.

Dalit Bahujan Front leader P. Shankar expressed concern over the observations relating to misuse of the Act and the Apex Court’s suggestion against arrest and grant of anticipatory bail to the guilty. Dalit leader questioned the rationale behind claims of misuse of the Act at a time when the conviction rate was less than two percent.

Another demonstration was held by other dalit organisations at the Ambedkar Statue which was led by Telangana Scheduled Caste Welfare Association Advisor Gaddam Shankar.

The bandh call evoked no response in the city and other parts of the State.