This 2018 controversy over the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act remains a pivotal moment in India's social justice discourse.

General Category Call For A Bharat Bandh

Many groups belonging to the general category (unreserved category) in Madhya Pradesh have called for a Bharat Bandh against the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. Several groups have alleged that BJP’s coalition government is trying to bring back the stern provisions of the Act.

The Central government had decided to amend the diluted act against the Supreme Court’s decision to dilute the stern provisions of the act on March 20, in order to make sure that there were no “false implications”. The bench consisting of two-judge, AK Goel and UU Lalit, had said on one occasion that there were “instance of abuse” of the act.

The decision of the Supreme Court saw nationwide protests from various SC/ST organisations in the month of April, which resulted in: violence, chaos and the death of eleven people. After that, the central government was under pressure to take precedence over the Supreme Court’s verdict in July this year, during the monsoon session of the Parliament.

According to the AajTak, the Kshatriya Mahasabha, Gurgaar Mahasabha, and Parshuram Sena Swabhiman Sammelan organisation have organised a rally in Gwalior, in support of the bandh. However, section 144 has been enforced in the different part of the state and is expected to continue till 6 September, till the bandh cools down. The state authorities are on high alert as there are chances of counter-protests from the side of SC/ST organisations.

Another organiser, Manmohan Sharma, said that BJP led government is heading forward to reverse the dilution and it will tarnish the brotherhood and social harmony in the different states. He further said a number of groups and organisations including Karni Sena, Parashuram Sena, Jaat Mahasabha, Pal Sabha, Prajapati Samaj, Vaish Samaj, Kshatriya Mahasabha, Yadav Mahasabha, Gurjar Mahasabha have protracted their support to the protest.

Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Thawar Chand Gehlot, on Saturday, faced the public annoyance in Guna where the locals encircled him and raised slogans. On the other day, footwear was thrown at the chief minister of MP state, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, while addressing a public meeting.

Lok Janashakti Party’s (LJP) head Ram Vilas Paswan called for the turn over of the decision of the Supreme Court regarding the SC/ST Atrocity Act. Chirag Paswan, in July, had mentioned that their alliance with BJP is based on this issues. He said that the protection of the interests of the communities was at the source of BJP-LJP’s tie in 2014.

BJP had proclaimed that at any cost it would not allow diluting the SC/ST act and has condemned the opposition parties for spreading rumours that BJP government was planning to scrap the reservation for the SC/ST.  BJP plans on highlighting the pro-Dalit nature of the party, by interlinking the Hindutva ideologue Dattopant Thengadi with Babasaheb Ambedkar and by showing the inherent logic of toilet construction to eradicate manual scavenging performed by the depressed classes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act?

The SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act is a central legislation enacted to prevent atrocities and abuse against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in India. It provides stringent punishments for crimes committed against these communities and ensures their social protection and dignity under law.

Why did the Supreme Court dilute the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act?

A two-judge bench of the Supreme Court diluted the act’s provisions in March 2018, citing instances of abuse and false implications. Justices AK Goel and UU Lalit believed the strict provisions were being misused, though their decision sparked immediate nationwide protests from SC/ST organisations.

What was the death toll from SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act protests?

Eleven people died during nationwide protests in April 2018 following the Supreme Court’s decision to dilute the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. The violence and chaos that erupted prompted the central government to reverse the Supreme Court’s verdict during the monsoon parliamentary session.

Which groups organised the Bharat Bandh against the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act?

General category groups including Kshatriya Mahasabha, Gurgaar Mahasabha, and Parshuram Sena Swabhiman Sammelan organised the Bharat Bandh. They organised rallies in Gwalior and other parts of Madhya Pradesh to protest against the government’s move to reverse the Supreme Court’s dilution.

What was section 144 imposed for during the Bharat Bandh?

Section 144 was imposed across different parts of Madhya Pradesh during the Bharat Bandh to maintain public order and prevent large gatherings. The restriction was expected to continue until September 6 to manage tensions between general category groups and potential counter-protests from SC/ST organisations.