In wake of Maratha rallies, Maharashtra wants Centre to modify Atrocities Act

THE BJP-LED government in Maharashtra is set to recommend to the Centre that changes be made to the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act to ensure that the law is not “misused” — a key demand of Marathas who have been protesting across the state after the brutal rape and murder of a girl from their community in Ahmednagar’s Kopardi village in July.

Sources, however, said the state government wants to simultaneously ensure that the rights of Dalits are not compromised.

According to sources, the state will propose that a preliminary verification be carried out by police before an individual is charged under the Act, to ensure people are not “falsely implicated”.

“A group of ministers, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has started the process of addressing the demands — not just of Marathas but also of Dalits and OBCS, who are growing increasingly apprehensive in