Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D. Raja on Monday urged the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP) Government in Uttar Pradesh to take serious note of the atrocities on Dalits in the state and said that such an initiative would give a sense of belonging to the people belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe so that they can lead a decent and dignified life.
"These atrocities on Dalits not only in Uttar Pradesh, but also in other parts of the country is a very serious issue. There is a bill 'Prevention of Atrocities Amendment Bill' pending before the Parliament. Now, when such incidents are taking place in a state like Uttar Pradesh led by Samajwadi Party where the Chief Minister is one of the youngest in the country, I urge upon Akhilesh Yadav and the Samajwadi Party government to take these incidents into serious view and act firmly against the culprits. This will give a sense of belonging to the people of SCs and STs so that they can lead a decent, dignified life. The Samajwadi Party Government should ensure this,"
Raja told ANI.
The CPI leader's reaction came after five Dalit women were stripped and paraded naked in Bade Harewa village in Jalalabad in Shahjahanpur district today.
The incident was in retaliation against the elopement of an upper caste girl with a Dalit youth.
The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister has ordered strict action against the accused persons.
