AAP, BJP demand review of SC ruling on SC/ST Act

The Aam Aadmi Party and BJP today appeared to be on the same page in opposing the Supreme Court's ruling "diluting" the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal said the "fundamental intent" of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act should be preserved and demanded that the Centre appoint prominent lawyers to effectively take up the matter in the Supreme Court.

Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta said the BJP "doesn't support" the court's ruling and demanded that like the Centre, the Delhi government should also intervene in the matter in the apex court.

Later, members of the AAP and the BJP opposed the apex court's decision in the Delhi Assembly.

The AAP chief had earlier tweeted, "Under the situation resulting due to the Supreme Court's decision on SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, the AAP is with the movement of SC/ST community."
Asked about violence in the country, the Delhi social welfare minister said, "There should be no space for violence. We condemn such incidents."
Another BJP MLA Jagdish Pradhan said, "I support Rakhi Birla's proposal (calling attention motion) on Supreme Court Ruling on SC/ST (Prevention and Atrocities) Act 1989. I oppose the Supreme Court's decision."