Congress accuses BJP govts of targeting Dalits after Bharat Bandh

The Congress on Wednesday accused BJP state governments of taking "revengeful action" against Dalits who were participating in peaceful protests in the Bharat Bandh on April 2 against dilution of some stringent provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act) 1989.

Nitin Raut, chairperson of Congress SC department, alleged that BJP leaders and workers were providing lists of Dalit youth belonging to Congress and other parties to police in an act of political vendetta.

Raut alleged that police were picking up these party workers at night and slapping false cases against them under serious sections of the IPC, and added that youth have fled their houses to avoid police torture.

“It is known that about 10 Dalits are killed in April 2 agitation. The Police in these states are not working to find those who had killed those Dalits. Instead, the Police which seem to be controlled from the states BJP office is taking action against the innocent Dalit. The youth arrested have been beaten up by the Police including by senior officers. The police and the government have never taken such repressive and revengeful action against the participant of many other agitations,” said the Congress statement.

Congress also condemned violence by anti-social elements in the peaceful agitation and the brutal police action against innocent Dalit youth. The main Opposition party also demanded immediate release of those arrested on false cases, immediate arrest of those who killed Dalit youth and that cases registered against innocent Dalit be withdrawn immediately.

Congress 'will not tolerate dilution of SC/ST Act', calls it 'well thought-out conspiracy’

The Congress on Wednesday protested across Uttar Pradesh against the state and the Union governments, alleging that the violence during the recent "Bharat Bandh" reflected their utter failure. Party leaders also said that the Congress would not allow any amendment to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, passed under aegis of its government.

"It is sad that the Union government did not rise to the occasion and delayed the matter until it spun out of control, resulting in violence earlier this week, leaving nine persons dead, many others injured and property worth crores of rupees damaged and gutted," a Congress leaders told IANS.

They further alleged that the amendment to the Act was brought through the apex court under a "well thought-out political conspiracy" to deprive the SC and ST communities of their rights against suppression.

With IANS inputs.