Bharat Bandh Live: Violence ravages 7 states, one dead, several cities under curfew

Several Dalit organisations have called for 'Bharat Bandh' today against the alleged "dilution" of the SCs/STs Act. Following the SC order, in which Apex Court had banned automatic arrests in the said Act, the protests today have hit life in several states. Hundreds of protesters carrying swords, sticks, baseball bats and flags forced shopkeepers and other establishments in Jalandhar, Amritsar and Bathinda to shut down. Similar protests have been reported from Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi and Jharkhand.Track all the live updates:* Watch: Shots fired during protests in Gwalior #WATCH #BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act:Shots fired during protests in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior https://t.co/p8mW36qL0s— ANI (@ANI) 1522655919000 * Centre files review petition in Supreme Court.* One can understand if people protest, but why is opposition playing politics? Congress, who did not give Bharat Ratna to BR Ambedkar, are now acting like his followers: Ramvilas Paswan, Union Minister * I appeal to all political parties to maintain peace and not incite violence: Rajnath Singh* Rahul Gandhi slams RSS, BJP for plight of Dalits* Madhya Pradesh: Protesters resort to stone pelting in Bhind; One dead in Murena, curfew imposed WATCH: Protesters resort to stone pelting in Bhind during #BharatBandh over the SC/ST Protection Act. #MadhyaPradesh https://t.co/40KmhV3Ckm— ANI (@ANI) 1522651242000 * Train services disrupted in Delhi, Ghaziabad* Rajasthan: Showrooms vandalised in Jaipur. Curfew imposed in parts of Gwalior, Section 144 imposed in Sagar. #BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: An apparel showroom vandalized in Jaipur https://t.co/LZ0RH5q2BK— ANI (@ANI) 1522651174000 * BJP/RSS want to keep Dalits at the lowest level in Indian society, says Rahul Gandhi दलितों को भारतीय समाज के सबसे निचले पायदान पर रखना RSS/BJP के DNA में है। जो इस सोच को चुनौती देता है उसे वे हिंसा… https://t.co/cdhUIBQhQo— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) 1522647998000 * Central & state govts are dedicated towards the welfare of backward castes, SC & ST. I appeal to all to not disturb the law & order. If at all there are any issues you can bring them to govt's notice: UP CM Yogi Adityanath*Today govt has filed a petition on the judgement by Supreme Court on the SC/ST Act. We don't agree with the SC's order. Opposition politicising the Dalit issue, says Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad* Watch: Several people injured in clash between protesters and Police in Ranchi. #WATCH #BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: Clash between protesters and Police in Ranchi. Several people injure… https://t.co/MPnUfgOPQV— ANI (@ANI) 1522648826000 #BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: Protest turns violent in Barmer, cars and property damaged. #Rajasthan https://t.co/gZ0rtMSeg5— ANI (@ANI) 1522647439000 * Watch: protesters thrashed by Police in Meerut #WATCH #BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: Protesters thrashed by Police personnel in Meerut https://t.co/yQfaJBDbBD— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) 1522649738000 Protest reach Delhi #BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: Visuals of protest from Mandi House in Delhi https://t.co/7gfHhMS4YI— ANI (@ANI) 1522647060000 * Punjab on high alert, mobile internet services suspended* Protesters blocks trains in Punjab, Odisha, Rajasthan. 63576323 * CBSE suspends class X, class XII exams in Punjab due to protests.*Shops, educational institutions and other establishments remained closed in Punjab. The final practical examinations of Class 10 and 12 of Punjab School Education Board, which were scheduled to be held on Monday, will now be held on April 11.* The Centre will file a review petition today against the Supreme Court’s order, in which it had puts an end to immediate arrests in complaints filed under the SC/ST Act provisions.*Of course a review petition(SC/ST Act) should be filed. (But) the basic question is to why they were unable to present the case properly before SC and lost, inquiry needed: Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Congress leader* In the review petition drafted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the Centre is likely to contend that the order will weaken the provisions of the Act, thereby reducing the fear of law, which may result in more violations.* The government had come under attack from Opposition demanding a review or bring an amendment to undo the Supreme Court’s ruling.* Apex Court had banned automatic arrests and registration of criminal cases under the said Act. The ruling emphasised on holding a preliminary inquiry before arrest. The judgement had underlined the misuse of certain provisions of the Act for “vested interests”.* However, dalit organisations and some political parties fear the dilution of the provisions of the Act might lead to increase in violence against Dalits.* Congress will organise a demonstration on April 4 at Parliament Street against the verdict and the atrocities committed against dalits in different parts of the country.

from The Economic Times https://ift.tt/2JeBF5w