LJP warns agitation if SC/ST Act not restored

The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) on Friday threatened the Centre that they would join the agitation led by the Dalit outfits if amendments are not made in the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act by August 9.

While addressing the media, LJP leader Chirag Paswan raised an objection on the appointment of retired Justice AK Goel as the chief of the National Green Tribunal, who as per the party acted against Dalit interests by passing judgment on diluting provisions of the SC/ST Act.

"We wanted the Centre to bring an ordinance about SC/ST Act. But it could not be done now. So, we have asked the Centre to reintroduce it as a bill in the Parliament on August 7 and restore the previous law, as Dalit protests on August 9 could be more aggressive than April 2 protests," Paswan said.

"If our demand is not met by August 9, then LJP will join Dalit protesters and we could see a repeat of April 2," he added.

LJP, which is an ally of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), had earlier demanded to introduce an ordinance or executive order to restore stringent arrest rules in SC/ST Act.

In April, Dalit organisations across the country staged a massive protest against the judgment of the top court.

The apex court, on March 20, introduced the provision of anticipatory bail in the act while directing that there would be no automatic arrest on any complaint filed under the law.

On April 3, the Centre filed a review petition against the ruling, which went in vain as the top court refused to stay its order and asked all parties to submit detailed replies.