Oppn leaders meet President on SC/ST Act issue

Leaders of various opposition parties led by Congress chief Rahul Gandhi today raised their concerns on dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act with President Ram Nath Kovind and sought his intervention, saying the apex court order had created "a feeling of insecurity among the Dalits".

"We met the President on the dilution of the SC/ST Act... The atrocities (on dalits and tribals) are increasing and the Act is being diluted. The President was quite positive and supportive," Gandhi told reporters after he along with leaders of BSP, NCP, CPI-M, SP, DMK and other parties handed over a memorandum to Kovind this evening.

Asked if the President had given them any assurance, Gandhi said, "He will assess and will take relevant action."