New Delhi: The government at the centre feels that there is a strong need to overturn the Supreme Court order laying down fresh guidelines on arrest of those accused of committing various atrocities against SC and ST communities, and bringing an ordinance to restore the original provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act is one of the options are under consideration.

Sources who are aware of the deliberations within the government at different levels are of the opinion that promulgating an ordinance to restore the original provisions would help calm tempers.

The second option before the government, according to sources, is introducing a bill in the Monsoon session of Parliament slated for July to amend the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 to overturn the SC order.

“If an ordinance is issued, it too will have to be converted into a bill and passed by Parliament. The result of the two exercises is the same — to restore the original provisions. But the ordinance has the benefit of giving instant results. It will help calm tempers immediately,” a senior functionary said.

Various groups of Dalits had organized protests across the county on April 2 against the alleged dilution of the Act through the March 20 verdict of the Supreme Court. There were several reports of protests turning violent at some places resulting in deaths of several people.

There were accusations by opposition parties about the government failing to protect Dalit rights.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted that the government would not allow the law to prevent atrocities on SCs and STs to be diluted.

“I want to assure the nation that the law which has been made stringent by us will not allow being affected (by the SC order)…,” he had said.

But the sources commented that there has been no decision making yet, and it is totally dependent on the way the hearing on a review petition filed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in the top court progresses.

According to them, review pleas may not bear immediate results, and as a result, the Supreme Court decision could not be favourable, the government at the centre needs to firm up its stand on the future course of action.

The Apex court laid down new guidelines for police officers on how to make it sure that innocent people, especially public officials can be protected from false complaints under the act.

A submission was filed in writing before the top court on Friday; the Centre said the verdict on the SC/ST Act has “diluted” its stringent provisions, which may result in “great damage” to the nation by causing anger and a sense of disharmony among the people.

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