Dalit organizations call for Bharat Bandh against Supreme Court’s verdict over SC/ST Act; here are the major developments

Dalit groups all over the country have called for a ‘Bharat bandh’ to protest against the verdict of the Supreme Court on the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989.

Recently the apex court ruled out immediate arrest of the accused involved in the atrocities act, saying that there can be misuse of the Atrocities Act.

Yesterday, The Bharat bandh has been in Punjab where the government suspended transportation services and internet services. And the suspension of internet services will remain so through Monday. Even CBSE has deferred the board exams scheduled for April 2. As per media reports, army units have been deployed in order to control over the situation.  

Today, the Court will hear a review petition filed by the government on the judgment.

Here are major developments on the Bharat bandh

• CBSE has deferred class 12 and class 10 examinations in Punjab scheduled to be held on Monday at the request of the state government because of the ‘Bharat bandh’. The board had received a letter of request from the director general (school education) of the Punjab government to postpone the exams.
• The Punjab government also decided to keep all schools shut for the day.
• Other exams will be held as per schedule in Chandigarh and other part of the country.
• Punjab’s public transport services across the state was suspended
• Congress president Rahul Gandhi said the Act is being diluted and the atrocities against the Dalits and tribals are increasing.
• Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot said that the apex court’s judgment will not provide justice to the suppressed people.
• Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan questioned the need for an all-all India bandh
• A delegation of Dalit lawmakers is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi today.
• The Congress party will organize a demonstration on April 4 at Parliament street on the issue.