Dalit organisations have reportedly called off the Bharat Bandh that was scheduled for Friday (August 9), Deccan Herald reported. Citing government passing the amendments to the SC/ST Act to undo strictures by the Supreme Court the reason to call off the bandh, the organizations, however said that they would continue their support for the All India Kisan Sabha-led protest programme across the country
Dalit organisations have reportedly called off the Bharat Bandh that was scheduled for Friday (August 9), Deccan Herald reported. Citing government passing the amendments to the SC/ST Act to undo strictures by the Supreme Court the reason to call off the bandh, the organizations, however said that they would continue their support for the All India Kisan Sabha-led protest programme across the country
Ashok Bharti, chairman of All India Ambedkar Mahasabha (AIAM) while speaking to News18 said, “We are giving more time to the government to fulfill our demands. We are not calling off the bandh, we are only deferring it. If the Centre does not accept our demands we will hit the streets again.”
Earlier, union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale appealed to the public to not participate in the 9 August 'Bharat Bandh' called by Dalit organisations against the Supreme Court ruling on the SC/ST Act.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Athawale appealed to the people to maintain peace, harmony and brotherhood in the country. His appeal comes a day after the Lok Sabha passed The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill 2018 to overturn a Supreme Court order concerning certain safeguards against arrest under the law.
Athawale said the passage of the two bills was a revolutionary step and alleged that the opposition is defaming the government wrongly over this. He said the government is protecting the rights of the Dalit community and is continuously working towards their welfare under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The BJP will also be observing "social justice fortnight" from August 15-30 and "social justice week" from August 1-9 from next year to mark the parliamentary nod to the bill seeking to grant constitutional status to the OBC Commission.
The Lok Sabha on Monday unanimously passed the bill to overturn a Supreme Court order concerning certain safeguards against arrest under the SC/ST law.
Welcoming the passage of the bill, Madhya Pradesh unit Congress spokesperson Bhupendra Gupta said there should not be any compromise on the rights of the "oppressed classes".
"The amendment will strengthen the legislative provisions to protect the people from SC/ST communities," he said.
With PTI Inputs
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