Bharat Bandh: Mayawati supports protests against SC/ST Act, condemns violence

Pic courtesy: ANI

Lucknow: BSP chief Mayawati on Monday said that she supported the protests against the SC/ST Act, but condemned the violence that has taken place.

"I support the protest against the SC/ST Act. I have got to know that some people spread violence during the protests, I strongly condemn it. Our party is not behind the violence during the protests," she said.

Mayawati added, "Strict action should be taken against those who spread violence during the protests," as per ANI.

Violent protests erupted on Monday during a nationwide bandh called by Dalit organisations against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

While some states ordered the closure of educational institutions and curtailed communication and transport services, including rail, incidents of arson and vandalism were reported from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Punjab, among other states.

Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thawarchand Gehlot tweeted: 

It has been our Govt which further strengthened the protection for backward castes by passing The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015. — Dr. Thawarchand Gehlot (@TCGEHLOT) April 2, 2018

Our Govt is not only committed to protect the rights given to SC/STs but is going one step ahead and holistically improving their lives. For years, they have been used as mere vote banks to form Govts. We are empowering backward castes as nation builders to create a New India. — Dr. Thawarchand Gehlot (@TCGEHLOT) April 2, 2018

Successive Governments did not put trust on people of backward castes when it came to lending. With initiatives like Stand Up India & Mudra,
people of backward castes are empowered to become entrepreneurs. — Dr. Thawarchand Gehlot (@TCGEHLOT) April 2, 2018

On the other hand, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh appealed for peace, while Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the government was not a party to the Supreme Court decision on the SC/ST Act and 'respectfully' did not agree with its reasoning behind the verdict, PTI reported.

Prasad also said the government has filed a very comprehensive review petition in the matter.

(With Agency inputs)