New Delhi: Amid the growing demand for a review in the Atrocities Law related to SC/ST, now the Dalit lawmakers from the ruling NDA have taken their turn to approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi today. The Supreme Court order, according to them, weakens another crucial law to prevent atrocities against the community. The lawmakers will meet the Prime Minister to demand a review and understand that the government should file a petition in the court. Apart from that, a delegation, constituting members of Scheduled Castes and Tribes Commission are also slated to meet the President Ram Nath Kovind to make the same request.

Recently, the Apex Court had passed an order relaxing certain provisions in the stringent SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The court reasoned that over certain occasions, the law was subject to misuse with the aim of preventing public servants from doing their duty. The Top Court introduced the provision of anticipatory bail and gave order not to arrest the accused immediately under the law.

According to the Dalit groups, the court order was such because the government had not performed its duty by not informing the court about the high rate of atrocities and abysmally very low conviction rate in such cases.

Their aim is to take the matter into the court again. And if the government does not takes their concern seriously, it will convey the message of the government of being anti-dalit, said the Congress, supporting the Dalit demand.

A group of MPs have already held a meet with Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and BJP chief Amit Shah. A section of dalits are concerned about the case if issue is not addressed, as it may become a potential political controversy.

After several reports of attacks on Dalits by so-called cow vigilantes, a perception has been growing within the community about the government being careless and not concerned about their welfare, the Congress has said. Senior party leader Anand Sharma has asked the government to make its stand clear regarding the issue. He is concerned about any fresh “insecurity” after the Apex court order.

The act known as ‘Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act,1989 is an act enacted by the Parliament of India to prevent atrocities against the scheduled tribes and scheduled castes. The common name for the act is SC/ST Act or Prevention of Atrocities Act.

Indian society is divided into castes due to indifferent approach towards ‘lower grade’ communities. The caste system can be traced back to ancient India. Time and again, a large population comprising different castes or tribes was deprived of their dignity in life. They were subjected to inhumane treatment and were aligned from the common life. They were treated as untouchables and not allowed to pray in temples. A long procedure to alleviate the system completely is needed to address the problem.

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