Jaipur/Bhopal: Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh states, ruled by the BJP, have withdrawn their orders to implement the recent Apex Court verdict that had relaxed some provisions of a law that has sought protect scheduled castes and scheduled tribes against atrocities.
Besides the two, another BJP ruled the state of Madhya Pradesh is also expected to follow suit, according to the sources from the party’s state unit.
The three states are yet to hold Assembly elections later this year, and the BJP is varied of a political backlash after the recent protests by Dalit groups across the country against what they call a dilution of the law.
Both the states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have taken up the decision to file petitions to seek a review of the last month’s Supreme Court verdict that government servants should not be arrested under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act without prior permission and private citizens too can be arrested only after an inquiry under the law. The judgment had also relaxed a provision in the atrocities law that disallowed anticipatory bail.
The centre had filed a review petition earlier this month, by saying that the verdict had created disharmony, confusion and anger in the society.
The centre had filed a review petition earlier this month by saying the verdict had created disharmony.
On Tuesday, the order issued by the Rajasthan home department directing the police to implement the Supreme Court order was taken back. According to Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, it was issued without her knowledge.
“I have directed the home minister and the police department to issue an immediate clarification on that circular. I want to assure the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes that we are committed to protecting their rights,” said Ms Raje.
The Chhattisgarh government has put on hold an order which was issued by the police headquarters to implement the top court’s order.
“We have always been sympathetic to the cause of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. We will strongly put forth our arguments in Supreme Court,” said Chief Minister Raman Singh.
The Supreme Court order on March 20 made Dalit lawmakers from the BJP and its allies convey their displeasure to Prime Minister Narendra Modi; it demanded that the centre challenge the order.
After the attacks from the opposition, Prime Minister Modi had already made it crystal clear that his government would not allow any dilution of the law.
The Supreme Court has already clarified that it has not diluted the law but had introduced some safeguards to protect the innocents.
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