Bharat Bandh: 9 Dead as Dalit Outfits Protest SC/ST Ruling

Dalit protesters blocked trains, clashed with police and set fire to vehicles in violent protests across seven states.

(Photo: PTI)

Nine people were killed in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan as protests over the SC/ST Atrocities Act turned violent. Curfew was imposed in at least three towns in Madhya Pradesh, including Morena, Bhind and Gwalior. MP, UP, and Punjab have requested aid from Central forces.

Dalit protesters blocked trains, clashed with police and set fire to vehicles in violent protests across seven states against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, leaving at least 9 people dead and many injured today, officials said.

Curfew was imposed in several places and the army was called out in the Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh. The army and paramilitary forces were also put on standby in Punjab.

Transport and communications services were severely hit in many states with over 100 trains getting affected due to protests against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST Act, even as the Centre moved the Supreme Court seeking review of its recent judgment in the matter, maintaining that the verdict will violate constitutional rights of these communities.

While some states ordered closure of educational institutions, and curtailed internet and mobile services, incidents of arson, firing and vandalism were reported from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Punjab, among other states.

The agitation led by Dalits across the country on 2 April, saw the state police intervening at several places, including Meerut, Ranchi, Agra, Barmer, Yamunanagar, and Bhind.

All schools and colleges from class 1 to 12 to remain shut in Ghaziabad, Hapur and Agra on 3 April, except for those conducting board examinations.

In Punjab, schools and colleges remained shut, with the CBSE postponing class 10 and class 12 board examinations that were scheduled for 2 April in the state, to 11 April.

The Centre, however, filed a review petition against the Supreme Court’s judgment on Monday.

The Supreme Court on 20 March diluted certain provisions of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, in a bid to protect 'honest' public servants discharging bonafide duties from being blackmailed with false cases under the Act.

The verdict was being widely criticised by the Dalits and the Opposition who claim that the dilution of the Act will lead to more discrimination and crimes against the backward community.

(With inputs from PTI)