Upper caste groups protest provisions of Dalit bill in Bihar
RESORT TO ARSON OVER MODI GOVERNMENT’S MOVE TO STRIKE DOWN APEX COURT RULING
The Indian central government’s move to bring a new legislation restoring the old provisions of the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Act sparked strong protests from politically-dominant upper caste villagers in Bihar yesterday, which could be a cause of worry for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance government at the centre.
Angry protesters under the banner of “Bhumihar-Brahmin Ekta Manch” burnt tyres, blocked vehicular traffic, took out protest marches and shouted slogans against the centre against the new SC/ST Act.
At many places, the protested clashed with police prompting the later resort to mild baton charge. Bhumihar and Brahmins are dominant upper castes in the state and have remained allied to the BJP after the Congress party weakened in the state.
In southern Bihar’s Gaya district, the protesters attacked the police which rushed to the spot to clear road traffic.
In Begusarai, the protesters blocked roads at many places and resorted to arson. Similar protests were reported from Lakhisarai, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Nalanda and Sheikhapura districts as the police had a tough time tackling the protesters. There were reports of protesters damaging vehicles and pelting stones at some places.
This is the second time in a month that upper caste villagers have taken to the streets to oppose the centre’s move.
Widespread anger
They were angry over the Narendra Modi government’s move to strike down the Supreme Court’s ruling over the SC/ST Act and restoring the old provisions.
In March this year, the apex court said the people accused of committing an offence under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of atrocities) Act or the SC/ST Act would be arrested after a preliminary inquiry to find out if there is a prima facie case against the accused.
The ruling triggered strong protests among the Dalit groups, which was followed by nationwide shutdown. Apprehending the issue could bring political disaster with the Lok Sabha elections not very far away, the Modi government eventually brought a new legislation in the just-concluded Monsoon session of the parliament to overturn the SC order.
The new law provides for doing away the need for preliminary inquiry for filing the First Information Report and reinstates the clause that anticipatory bail wouldn’t be permitted. But it has drawn strong protests from the upper caste villagers who are considered the main vote-bank of the BJP.