Protests against SC/ST Act amendments

VARANASI/AGRA: Protests were held in several parts of the state on Monday against the amendments in SC/ST Act, demanding uniformity in laws without any discrimination of caste.

Activists of various organisations resorted to road blockade and staged demonstration at district headquarters, Chandauli and blocked national highway in protest .

A number of activists from Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Sena, Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Mahasbaha, Sawarn Sena, Karni sena, and Rashtrvadi Hindu Yuwa Vahini protested in Varanasi too. The protesters also burnt an effigy of reservation. The road blockade led to heavy traffic jam on the road.

State unit president Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Sena Amit Singh Halchal said, “We demand amendment in certain strict provisions of the Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. If the government doesn’t pay heed to our demand, we will use NOTA.”

Halchal said that the misuse of the strict Act was very likely. In case anyone was framed under SC/ST Act due to animosity, the government should pay a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to that person. KN Pandey of Kendriya Brahman Mahasabha said that the government should add a provision of action against those found misusing the Act. The protesters also attacked the BJP office in the city and tore posters.

Circle officer Pradeep Singh Chandel reached the spot with heavy police force and pacified the protesters, asking them to lift the blockade. The protestors submitted a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to SDM Ashish Singh and ended the demonstration.

In Agra, a ‘Jan Chetna’ rally, held under the aegis of Akhil Bhartiya Vaishya Ekta Parishad, was attended by a cross section of society. The participants also made an appeal to make the mega protest rally on August 30 successful.