Congress 'will not tolerate dilution of SC/ST Act'

The Congress on Wednesday in many parts of Uttar Pradesh protested against the state and the Union government, alleging that the violence during the recent "Bharat Bandh" reflected their utter failure.

Party leaders also said that the Congress would not allow any amendment to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

"It is sad that the Union government did not rise to the occasion and delayed the matter until it spun out of control, resulting in violence earlier this week, leaving nine persons dead, many others injured and property worth crores of rupees damaged and gutted," a Congress leaders told IANS.

They further alleged that the amendment to the Act was brought through the apex court under a "well thought out political conspiracy" to deprive the SC and ST communities of their rights against suppression.

At many places, Congress leaders also submitted memorandums addressed to Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik, demanding that there be no dilution of the Act.

Party workers during their protest marches also informed that it was under their government in 1989 that this Act was passed by Parliament, and threatened a major showdown with the government if they did not put up the matter in a better way in the Supreme Court during the next hearing.

--IANS

md/nir