Kejriwal backs Dalits’ concerns

CM KEJRIWAL SAID THAT THE ‘FUNDAMENTAL INTENT’ OF THE ACT SHOULD BE PROTECTED

NEWDELHI: Backing the agitation of Dalits against the alleged dilution of a law that protects their rights, Delhi chief minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said the “fundamental intent” of the Act should be protected.

The Supreme Court on March 20 had banned automatic arrests and registration of criminal cases under the Scheduled Castes (SC) and the Scheduled Tribes (ST) Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989, a legislation meant to protect the marginalised communities from abuse and discrimination.

“The AAP supports the agitation of SC/ST community over situation arising out of the ruling of the Supreme Court regarding the SC & ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The Centre should appoint prominent senior lawyers for filing a petition in the Supreme Court to preserve fundamental intent of the Act,” Kej- riwal said in a tweet in Hindi.

Later, during a discussion on the situation arising out of the SC’S order, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the BJP came on the same page and said the apex court should reconsider its decision.

Deputy speaker of the Assembly, Rakhi Birla, while moving a calling attention motion on the matter, said the Supreme Court’s order was “unfortunate” and should be “reconsidered”.

Social welfare minister Rajendra Pal Gautam and other Dalit MLAS of AAP, including Vishesh Ravi, Manoj Kumar and Ajay Dutt, wore black bands around their arms in the House to register their protest. Gautam said atrocities on people belonging to the SC/ST communities continued unabated. He, however, condemned the violent activities.