BANDH PEACEFUL IN TELUGU STATES

The Bharat bandh called by dalit organisations on Monday to protest the dilution of SC/ ST Atrocities Act, was carried out peacefully in Telugu states. In Telangana, while the bandh evoked a good response in all districts, the impact was not felt much in the city. Dalit organisation held protest rallies, staged dharnas and chanted slogans against the NDA government. They also burnt effigies of the NDA government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

TS Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi president, Mr Vangapalli Srinivas, said dalit organisation held peaceful rallies across the state, despite police imposing severe restrictions.

“This is only the beginning. We will intensify our agitations till the Centre takes adequate measures to restore the SC/ST Atrocities Act to its original form,” he added.

In Guntur, the agitators have demanded the Central Government to file a review petition in the Supreme Court. Kula Vivaksha Porata Samiti (KVPS) has conducted a rally from the Ambedkar Statue at Lodge Centre to the Collectorate. They have blocked the traffic for more than one hour at Collectorate.

Dalit leaders have submitted a memorandum to the Collector.

They have opined that the judgement of the Supreme Court may dilute the purpose of the SC/ ST Atrocities Act and that this judgement may lead to more attacks on the dalits by the so-called upper castes.