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Bharat Bandh: Protests by Dalit groups over SC/ST Act on April 2, 2018 - As it happened

The bandh is being supported by several Dalit groups.

Violence in UP's Muzzaffarnagar on April 2, 2018, during Bharat Bandh (Pic courtesy: PTI)
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New Delhi: Violence erupted in many states across India as Dalit protesters blocked trains, clashed with police and set fire to vehicles during a nationwide bandh against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Transport, mobile and internet services were hit in many states with over 100 trains getting affected due to protests, even as the Centre moved the Supreme Court seeking review of its recent judgement on the SC/ST Act, maintaining that the verdict will violate constitutional rights of these communities.

While some states had ordered the closure of educational institutions as a precautionary measure, incidents of arson, firing and vandalism were reported from MP, UP, Rajasthan, Bihar and Punjab, among other places.

Meanwhile, the Union Home Ministry has asked all states to take preventive steps and maintain public order to ensure the safety of lives and property.

What exactly is the SC/ST Act and why is it controversial? Read here 

02 April 2018
23:51 IST

At least nine persons have been killed and hundreds injured during the nationwide bandh.

In Madhya Pradesh, at least six persons have died, while two persons died in Uttar Pradesh and one in Rajasthan, PTI reported.

22:50 IST

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has directed the security forces to stay on alert in view of the "volatile situation" prevailing in some of the neighbouring states.

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Few unfortunate incidents took place today. Strict action will be taken against those responsible. I appeal to everyone to maintain peace and harmony, and not pay attention to rumours. It is government's responsibility to ensure safety and security of all sections of the society, says MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

20:12 IST

Also ReadRajnath Singh appeals for peace, says 'deeply pained by violence'

19:22 IST

Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar says the Supreme Court and the Centre were responsible for Monday's violence in various states during the nationwide bandh called by Dalit outfits.

"Government and the SC are responsible for this violence. The government is creating an unsafe atmosphere for Dalit communities while the apex court's recent order diluting the SC/ST Atrocities Act has forced the community to take to streets," the grandson of Dalit icon BR Ambedkar said.

Also ReadOver 100 trains disrupted as Dalit groups protest over SC/ST Act

19:19 IST
19:17 IST

The Centre rushes 1,700 anti-riot police personnel to Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Punjab. While eight companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) were sent to Uttar Pradesh, four companies were dispatched to Madhya Pradesh and three to Rajasthan, a Home Ministry official said, PTI reported. An RAF company consists of around 100 personnel.

18:58 IST
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Many people have been detained across all districts in Rajasthan. Internet services was suspended and section 144 was imposed in certain districts, says DGP.

18:56 IST
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16:51 IST

Two more deaths have been reported. One from UP's Muzaffarnagar and one from Rajasthan's Alwar, as per reports.

16:45 IST
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Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje‏ appeals for peace, says 'our government is committed to the protection of the rights of SCs and STs.

16:31 IST

Also ReadMayawati supports protests against SC/ST Act, condemns violence

16:30 IST
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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, says BSP chief Mayawati.

16:01 IST
16:00 IST

Police lathicharges protesters in Haryana's Yamunanagar during Bharat Bandh. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BharatBandh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BharatBandh</a> over SC/ST protection act: Police lathicharges protesters in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Haryana?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Haryana</a>&#39;s Yamunanagar. <a href="https://t.co/a6mWooQbOX">pic.twitter.com/a6mWooQbOX</a></p>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/980752931652857857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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15:58 IST

Bus vandalized and set ablaze during Bharat Bandh protest in Azamgarh.

15:48 IST

Centre sends four companies to MP and UP. Four RAF companies also deployed in Meerut, Hapur, Agra, Gwalior and Bhopal.
 

14:23 IST

Vehicles set ablaze in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar

14:15 IST

Bharat Bandh: RJD leader of opposition Tejashwi Yadav with MLAs stage a protest against the alleged 'dilution' of the SCs/STs Act by Supreme court, at Bihar Assembly in Patna on Monday (PTI photo)

14:12 IST

At least 19 people were injured in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior, out of which two are in critical condition. Internet service have been blocked in Gwalior district till 6:00 am on Tuesday.

14:06 IST

Another person died in Gwalior during the clashes. Curfew has been implemented in six areas. More details awaited

13:38 IST

Shots fired during protests in Madhya Pradesh

 

13:25 IST
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"Delhi Police is alert. We have adequate police deployment at places & senior officials are also present in the field. All steps will be taken to maintain law and order," Deependra Pathak, Spokesperson, Delhi Police on Bharat Bandh over SC/ST protection act

12:31 IST

 

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One person died in Madhya Pradesh's Morena - some 450 kilometres from the state capital of Bhopal - after police resorted to preventive firing at a group of demonstrators protesting against the dilution of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act following a Supreme Court order. Rahul Pathak was reportedly standing on the balcony of his house in an area where demonstrators clashed with police personnel. To ensure law and order situation did not deteriorate, police officials fired warning shots - one bullet hitting Rahul. Read more

12:05 IST

In the ongoing clashes between the law enforcement agencies and demonstrators in Madhya Pradesh's Morena, the police fired at the mob, leading to the death of one person identified as Rahul Pathak

11:46 IST

"The central and state governments 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," said UP CM Yogi Adityanath. 

11:43 IST

Clashes erupted between protestors and police in Jharkhand's Ranchi:

 

 

11:42 IST

"I wish to convey that today we've filed a petition on the judgement by Supreme Court on the SC/ST act. We have filed a comprehensive review petition which will be presented before the court by the senior lawyers of the government," said Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad

11:25 IST

 Centre files review petition against Supreme Court verdict on SC/ST Act

11:15 IST

Visuals of protest from Mandi House in Delhi:

 

 

11:13 IST

Now protests get violent in Bihar's Barmer 

10:58 IST

Protest turns violent in Meerut with cars damaged 

10:34 IST

Protestors in  Rajasthan's Bharatpur:

10:32 IST

Protestors stop train in Patiala 

10:30 IST

Clashes erupted between Bhim Sena and Bajrangal Dal in Madhya Pradesh's Bhind.

10:29 IST

In Bihar, thousands of Dalit members staged protests with posters, banners and flags. Supporters of the Bhim Army and other Dalit organisations, halted over a dozen long-distance trains, and as a result, passengers were stranded at Patna, Gaya, Jehanabad, Bhagalpur, Ara, Darbhanga, Araria, Nalanda and Hajipur railway stations.

 

09:58 IST

Reports of violence emerging from Agra with protestors vandalising property near railway station. 

09:28 IST

Protestors at Forbesganj Junction in Bihar

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BharatBandh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BharatBandh</a> over SC/ST protection act: Protesters stop train at Forbesganj Junction.  <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bihar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bihar</a> <a href="https://t.co/NZr0LlTFQ6">pic.twitter.com/NZr0LlTFQ6</a></p>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/980655375312740357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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09:27 IST

Protestors stop trains in Bihar's Arrah

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BharatBandh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BharatBandh</a> over SC/ST protection act: Different groups including CPIML activists protest in Bihar&#39;s Arrah, block a train <a href="https://t.co/ss4jn1C4ak">pic.twitter.com/ss4jn1C4ak</a></p>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/980645758931218434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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09:10 IST

BJP MP Savitri Bai Phule called out her own government at the Centre over the recent increase in crimes against Dalits at a massive rally in Lucknow on Sunday.

09:09 IST

Tejashwi Yadav tweeted, "Our party @RJDforIndia is totally out in full support of #BharatBandh against the dilution of SC/ST Act by Modi Govt."

 

09:08 IST

"Review petition by the Government against the SC judgement on SC/ST Protection Act shall be filed positively on tomorrow, Monday, April 2," Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad tweeted on Sunday.

08:46 IST

Earlier, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) informed their support for the Bharat Bandh. Lalu Yadav's son and former Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav‏ wrote on Twitter, "The RJD supports the support Bharat Bandh in relation to SC / ST Act. Modi Government wants to change the Constitution. Atrocities are going on in the country with the Dalits. Now, it's time to teach the anti-dalit-backward-poor BJP a lesson."

 

08:43 IST

"Of course a review petition (of SC/ST protection act) should be filed and its the right of the Government, it is a legal procedure. The basic question is to why they were unable to present the case properly before SC and lost, inquiry needed," says Congress leader AM Singhvi tells news agency ANI.

08:40 IST

Heavy layer of security across Amritsar.

07:45 IST

What exactly is the SC/ST Act and why is it controversial? Read here

07:02 IST

Punjab government has declared closure of all educational institutions and suspension of mobile Internet services in the state. Punjab Chief Secretary Karan A Singh wrote to the Secretary of Department of Defence, saying, "Army in Punjab to remain ready for any eventuality as state govt may need their assistance in maintaining law and order during bandh called by several Dalit organisations against amendment of SC/ST Act."

06:59 IST

Movement of train in Odisha's Sambalpur was affected after protesters blocked the train line against Supreme Court's decision on SC/ST Protection Act BharatBandh

06:56 IST

Following the call for nationwide Bharat Bandh, the CBSE Board papers for Classes X and XII, scheduled to be held on Monday, have been postponed in Punjab. 

06:39 IST

"Supreme Court`s decision on SC/ST Protection Act would not be able to provide justice to the suppressed people, and those accused and deserving of punishment would be saved. Union government took cognizance of it, and the Law Ministry with our ministry, took the decision that review petition will be filed against the court`s decision," Gehlot told ANI.

06:33 IST

Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot also confirmed that the Centre will file a review petition against Supreme Court`s decision on Monday

06:31 IST

"What is the point of organising a Bharat Bandh? The government is positively going to file the review petition," Paswan told ANI.

06:31 IST

Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Sunday raised question over all-India bandh against the Supreme Court`s ruling on the SC/ST Act, while saying that Centre is positively going to file the review petition