Cong seeks review of SC/ST Act verdict

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 21

The Congress today blamed the government for Supreme Court’s orders watering down the “immediate arrest of officers” provisions of the Prevention of Atrocities against SCs and STs Act and said the Centre did not defend the law.

Senior Congress leaders, including deputy leader of the party in Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma, MPs Kumari Selja and Jyotiraditya Scindia and Congress media head Randeep Surjewala today said the development reflected the anti-Dalit mindset of the BJP government, which did not argue against the said dilutions through their law officers.

All Congress leaders alleged that crimes against SCs had risen under the BJP-led NDA regime, which had also been talking of diluting the reservation policy enshrined in the Constitution.

Sharma, while ruing that there was a growing feeling of insecurity among Dalits, asked the government to take a stand on the SC orders halting immediate arrest of public servants in case of alleged atrocities against SCs and STs.

“We are deeply concerned about the orders of the Supreme Court and demand its immediate review. The government should come up with a review petition and make its position clear. The Dalits and STs are already very insecure under this regime. It is important to revisit this order in larger national interest,” said Sharma asking the Centre to clarify its position through the Attorney General.

Selja pointed to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwant’s stand on reservations and said the current development was an outcome of the BJP and RSS’ policy of “ending reservations”.

Scindia demanded a clarification from the PM while Surjewala wondered why neither the Centre nor the Maharashtra government argued the case well in the SC.