Bharat Bandh live news updates: We're not against Act but innocent shouldn't be punished, says SC

Reports of chaotic protests on Monday emerged from Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Odisha.

Protesters hurl brickbats as smoke billows out of burning cars during ''Bharat Bandh'' against the alleged ''dilution'' of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes Act, in Muzzaffarnagar on Monday. (PTI Photo)

The Supreme Court on Tuesday afternoon began hearing the review petition on SC/ST Act filed by the Centre following the deadly Bharat Bandh protests by Dalit groups, that killed at least 10 people and injured 65, including policemen. Earlier, the Attorney General added that an emergency-like situation has unfurled in the country with thousands of people out on the road. 

On Monday, Dalit protesters clashed with law enforcement agencies, blocked trains, squatted on roads and railway line, set vehicles ablaze while registering their anger against the dilution of the SC/ST Act. Reports of chaotic protests emerged from Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Odisha. 

On March 20, the top court diluted the stringent provisions of SC/ST Act in an effort to protect honest public servants discharging bonafide duties from being blackmailed with false cases under the SC/ST Act. This did not go down well with SC-ST groups, Dalits and Opposition, who claim that it will lead to more discrimination and crimes against the backward community.

03 April 2018

14:33 IST

The Supreme Court, while hearing the submissions by the Attorney General, observed, 'We are not against the Act. Innocent should not be punished.'

14:09 IST

In a series of tweets, BJP president Amit Shah said that the Narendra Modi government supports the rights of the Dalits and backward classes. "Through the Scheduled Castes & the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2015 NDA govt has actually strengthened provisions of the Act. This was done in line with our commitment to the welfare of SC & ST communities," he wrote.