AAP, BJP MLAs oppose dilution of SC/ST Act

New DELHI: Members of the Delhi Assembly, on Monday, hotly discussed the situation that emerged out of the Supreme Court-approved amendments to the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, with legislators of both the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party opposing the apex court's decision.

Deputy Speaker of the Assembly Rakhi Birla issued a notice, calling attention of the Delhi Social Welfare Minister against the Supreme Court, regarding the SC/ST Atrocities Act.

The "fundamental intent" of the Act should be preserved, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Monday and extended his party's support to the Dalit groups protesting against the alleged dilution of the Act's provisions.

The AAP national convenor, on Monday, tweeted, "Under the situation resulting due to Supreme Court's decision on SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, AAP is with the movement of SC/ST community. Central government should deploy top lawyers for the petition in the Supreme Court and the need and fundamental intent of the Act should be preserved."

Delhi Social Welfare Minister Rajender Pal Gautam demanded that the Centre bring an amendment to the said law in Parliament or file a "curative petition" in the apex court.

BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta said that the Centre had filed a review petition in the Supreme Court against dilutes SC/ ST Prevention Act verdict.

Violent protests erupted on Monday as a result of the 'Bharat Bandh' called by Dalit outfits against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST Atrocities Act, which left one person dead and several injured in Madhya Pradesh and disrupted normal life in many states.

While some states ordered closure of educational institutions and curtailed communication and transport services, including rail, incidents of arson and vandalism were reported from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Punjab, among other states.

The Supreme Court had on March 20 diluted certain provisions of the Act, in a bid to protect honest public servants discharging bona fide duties from being blackmailed with false cases under the Act.