Rahul Gandhi launches scathing attack on PM Modi over the alleged dilution of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities), 1989 Act
Congress President Rahul Gandhi has launched the scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of having an anti-Dalit mindset at a protest organized Dalit organizations over the alleged dilution of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 in Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.
He said that if Modi government would be really a party oriented towards the welfare of Dalit, as it avowedly claims, it would have been reflected in the policies brought the Modi government. He said that whenever Dalits try to progress, Modi government crushes them. He also added the instance of Rohit Vemula suicide case to take on the government.
In Gujarat, he brought out a book of his speeches in which he wrote that Dalits get spiritual satisfaction out of cleaning. These lines throw light on his thinking and ideology,” Mr Gandhi said at the protest held in Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
Rahul Gandhi said that the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities), 1989 Act had been enacted during the regime of Congress under the Prime-ministership of Rajeev Gandhi to protect and safeguard the Dalits against the atrocities of other classes, but the Modi government was not only trying to scrap this law but also promoting the judge who had given the verdict in favor of the dilution of act. He was referring to the appointment of the Supreme Court Judge A. K. Goyal as the Chief of NGT.
He also asserted that in 2019 a government of the Dalits, tribals and farmers will be formed.
Ever since the Supreme Court gave its ruling on this the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities), 1989 Act on 20 March, leaders across the political spectrum have rallied against the judgement of the Supreme Court citing it as an attack on the rights provided to Dalits against the atrocities inflicted upon them. The pressure was so mammoth that even the BJP also had to sing in the same chorus as opposition, as per the experts, perhaps due to the fear of loss of vote bank.
Eventually, A bill to overturn the Supreme Court order was unanimously passed the Lok Sabha on Monday.
Some people are even demanding to put this SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities), the 1989 Act in the ninth schedule to make it immune from any further amendments. However, there is still a division of opinion on this matter.
Currently, I am pursuing B.A(H) Political science from Satyawati College, Delhi University.
I like public speaking, writing and reading in my leisure.
