Congress Skeptical Of Supreme Court Ruling Over SC, ST Act, Wants A Change
New Delhi: Congress Party President Rahul Gandhi criticized Modi Government for not doing enough to safeguard rights of dalits guaranteed under the constitution of India. He accused the NDA led government of forgoing the rights of dalits in the Supreme Court by not defending it. The main reason for this failure, he cited, was the anti-dalit mindset of BJP/RSS”.
He said that the Congress is very much concerned about the Dalit rights amid the rise in atrocities against Dalits under the present government of BJP-led NDA. The recent Supreme Court judgment has diluted provisions that relate to the immediate arrest in the SC/ST Act. Rahul demanded a review over the Judgment or if not possible amend the law.
“The SC/ST Act is the most important instrument to prevent atrocities on Dalits and adivasis. A complicit Modi government failed to defend it in the Supreme Court.”
“The PM must not abdicate his duty in favour of the anti-Dalit mindset of the BJP/RSS,” Mr Gandhi said on his Twitter handle.
Anand Sharma, a senior Congress spokesperson sought a clarification from the government over the issue, claiming that there was a “sense of insecurity” among Dalit Community and many other oppressed classes after the Supreme Court verdict.
“There is serious concern over yesterday’s decision of the Supreme Court. If it is not reviewed, it will be very unfortunate. There is a feeling on insecurity among the SC/STs and other oppressed classes. We feel there should be a review of this decision which will be in national interest.”
“Why is the government silent on this issue. Government should clarify its stand and should present its version before the Supreme Court through the Attorney General. If the government remains silent, it means that the government supports the decision,” he replied to a question by reporters.
Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is considered the Chief Whip of Congress in Lok Sabha said that the BJP and RSS want to put an end to reservation and both prime minister as well as all other ministers in the government has not given any clarification over the issue.
Party MP Kumari Selja came forward with the allegation that the recent development is a result of the BJP-RSS policy, as they are “conspiring to end reservation”.
Randeep Sujewala , who is in charge for Congress party Communications said that the both the governments of Centre as well as Maharashtra Government did not represent dalit case in a proper way. The reason he cited for their behavior is that their mindset is ‘anti-dalit’.
“The Congress does not accept the dilution of the Act because of a hidden conspiracy over the issue”, he stated.
He sought the revision of the verdict in case if it is possible, otherwise he asked for a fresh amendment. He warned that if this demand is not met, the growing dissent within the dalit community may give rise to protests.
Yesterday, the Supreme Court of India diluted its provisions which mandated immediate arrest under the law in order to protect honest public servants discharging bona-fide duties from being booked under false cases under the SC/ST Act.