Widespread protests throughout country by Dalit organisations
Bharat Bandh called by several Dalit organisations over the alleged "dilution" of SCs/STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act disrupted normal life across several parts of India as protesters blocked rail and road traffic and resorted to violence and arson in Rajasthan, Odisha, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana along with national capital. Nine lives were lost during the violent protests across India.
While six people were killed in Madhya Pradesh, one each died in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar.
The Union Home Ministry, which rushed 800 anti-riot policemen to MP and UP, asked all states to take preventive steps and maintain public order to ensure safety of lives and property.
Transport, mobile and internet services were hit in many states with over 100 trains getting affected due to protests, even as the Centre moved the Supreme Court seeking review of its recent judgement on the SC/ST Act, maintaining that the verdict will violate constitutional rights of these communities.
Also read | SC, ST Act: Dalit groups call for 'Bharat Bandh' on Monday; Modi Govt to file review petition in Supreme Court
As it happened:
7:00 pm: Total nine people have lost their lives so far in violent protests across India--6 in MP, one each in Rajasthan, UP, Bihar
6:45 pm: All schools in Agra from class 1 to class 12, except those conducting board examinations to remain shut tomorrow in lieu of protests over SC/ST protection act today.
6:40 pm: Some police personnel have been injured during Bharat Bandh. Situation is under control now, however all districts are still on high alert. We've lathicharged & used water cannon wherever it was needed. No culprit will be spared & strict action will be taken: DIG, Law & Order, UP
6:14 pm: I appeal to all political parties to help in maintaining harmony among different sections of the society. I also appeal to the people, not to fall prey to rumours and false propaganda unleashed by mischievous elements: Rajnath Singh
6:12 pm: The Government of India has advised all states to maintain law and order and we are ready to provide assistance to any state that may require so, tweets Home Minister Rajnath Singh
6:10 pm: Total 7 people have lost their lives till now in the violent protests--4 in Madhya Pradesh, 1 in UP, 1 in Rajasthan, 1 in Bihar
6:08 pm: Madhya Pradesh, UP and Punjab have so far requested for Central Forces. Rapid Action Force (RAF) and CAPFs have been made available. Ministry has asked the states to take all preventive measures and maintain public order and ensure the safety of lives of people and property.
6:05 pm: Union Ministry of Home Affairs is closely monitoring the situation in the wake of Bharat Bandh protests. The Ministry is in constant touch with the states. Whichever state has asked for Central Forces, they have been made available immediately.
5:51 pm:
5:48 pm: 1 dead,3 seriously injured & around 35 have suffered minor injuries during Bharat Bandh. There'll be an inquiry on people spreading rumors on Social Media. Detained 448 people for legal action. Only 10% of state was disrupted, there was peace in 90% of area: DIG, Law & Order, UP
5:37 pm: One protester killed in Madhya Pradesh's Morena during Bharat Bandh over SC/ST protection act.
5:00 pm: 4 people have died, can't confirm number of people injured as yet. Police officials have also got injured. Police is still on field & is trying to restore peace, once that's done we'll file cases & begin inquiry on people who've caused disruption: IG (law &order), MP
4:30 pm: Centre sends 4 RAF companies to Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh
4:20 pm: More than 200 people have been detained and we are getting cases registered against them. All conspirators and hooligans involved in anti-social activities will be booked under NSA. There have been no casualties so far: Manzil Saini, SSP Meerut on protests over SC/ST Act
4:08 pm: BJP playing politics over SC/ST Act; Union Govt delayed filing of review petition in Supreme Court: Mayawati
4:07 pm: Strict action should be taken against those who spread violence during the protests
4:06 pm: I support the protest against the SC/ST Act.Some people indulged in violence during the protests, I strongly condemn it. Our party is not behind the violence: Mayawati
04:05 pm: BSP supremo Mayawati condemns violence during Bharat Bandh.
03:52 pm: The Modi Govt has failed to prevent dilution of the SC/ST Act and has no interest in the welfare of Dalits or minorities, says Ghulam Nabi Azad.
03:50 pm: Atrocities against minorities, Dalits and other marginalised communities have risen sharply under the Modi Govt, but no concrete action has been taken, says senior Congress leader GN Azad.
02:55 pm:
02:51 pm: Supreme Court declines urgent hearing on a plea for stay and review of verdict putting safeguards in the SC/ST Act. It will be taken up in due course, says the apex court.
02:43 pm:
02:36 pm: Internet services blocked in Alwar from 2:30 pm till 8 pm. Army called in.
02:31 pm: Police resort to aerial firing to disperse protesters in Meerut
02:30 pm: Rajasthan's Bharatpur rocked with violence as protesters fire at police. Tear gas and aerial shooting used to scatter crowd.
02:29 pm: As per government instructions, Internet services have been blocked in Bhind District till 03/04/2018 06:00 AM.
02:29 pm: IG Law and Order Makrand Deuskar says that four people have died in protests in Gwalior and Morena
02:27 pm: 19 people injured, out of which 2 remain critical in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior; Internet services blocked in the city till 6:00 am tomorrow, amid protests over SC/ST protection act
02:11 pm: Protesters outside Ghaziabad DM's office clueless about the reason. When India Tv asked them about their demands, they said they are protesting about adding 'Ramji' to BR Ambekar's name.
02:07 pm: In Punjab's Bathinda, Dalits hit a businessman with baseball bat, injured another woman. Two vehicles on Bathinda ISBT also vandalised.
02:02 pm: Tourist bus carrying foreigners attacked in Noida's Hindon.
01:55 pm: Police station burned down in Alwar. Security forces open fire to disperse the crowd, two people injured.
01:51 pm: Ambulance stuck in Bihar's Nawada: protesters refused to allow ambulance carrying a sick child despite requests. Mother had to carry the child in arms till hospital.
01:46 pm: Bus torched in Azamgarh. DM office attacked. Bus carrying tourists also attacked.
01:44 pm: Violent protesters block Delhi-Howrah rail route, attack cops
01:44 pm: Aligarh railway station under siege
01:44 pm: Protester set a bus on fire in UP's Meerut
01:43 pm: Violent protests by Dalits in UP's Saharanpur. The city comes to a standstill as protesters block main crossings and force shops to shut down. Police resort to lathicharge to stop vandalism by bandh supporters.
01:40 pm: SP, BSP workers join protesters in Allahabad
01:30 pm: Railways services hampered due to protests. Delhi bound trains held near Modi Nagar.
01:26 pm: Sec 144 imposed in Rajasthan's Barmer. Protesters burn down three vehicles, over 50 others vandalised. Protesters attempt to vandalise police station. The situation remains tense.
01:22 pm: Thousands protest in Maharashtra's Nagpur.
01:22 pm: Several policemen injured after protesters pelted stones. Tear gas used to disperse crowd.
01:16 pm: Protesters block roads in Gujarat's Ahmedabad.
01:15 pm: Protesters blatantly resort to hooliganism in Haryana's Fatehabad. Under the pretences of protests, youth vandalise markets. Security forces missing.
01:14 pm:
01:10 pm: Delhi Police is alert. We have adequate police deployment at places & senior officials are also present in the field. All steps will be taken to maintain law & order: Deependra Pathak, Spokesperson, Delhi Police on #BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act
12:52 pm: One can understand if people protest, but why is opposition playing politics? Parties like Congress who did not give Bharat Ratna to BR Ambedkar are now acting like his followers: Ramvilas Paswan, Union Minister
12:50 pm:
12:40 pm: We have filed the review petition in Supreme Court. I appeal to all political parties and groups to maintain peace and not incite violence: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Bharat Bandh over SC/ST protection act
12:30 pm:
12:30 pm: One dead in Madhya Pradesh's Morena; curfew imposed in the area amid protests over the SC/ST Act
Watch video | Bharat Bandh on SC, ST Act Ruling: 10 major developments
Also read | Govt files review petition against Supreme Court ruling on SC/ST Act
12:23 pm: Markets closed forcibly in Delhi's neighbouring Gurgaon.
12:20 pm: Congress leader Kanti Lal Bhuria on SC/ST Act: The government filed review petition under pressure. It actually wants to ent reservation for SC/STs.
12:18 pm: Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa: States are going to bear losses worth crores, all because of Centre.
12:15 pm: Gwalior administration orders curfew in areas under four police stations to cull violence.
12:11 pm: Swami Shradhanad College (DU) students raise slogans in support of apex court verdict on SC/ST Act. Students say that the law was misued frequently, so they support the court's decision despite being from the category.
12:10 pm:
12:08 pm:
12:06 pm: The central and state governments are dedicated towards the welfare of backward castes, SC and ST. I appeal to all to not disturb the law and order. If at all there are any issues you can bring them to govt's notice: UP CM Yogi Adityanath
12:06 pm: Police opens fire at protesters in MP's Bhind. Reports of crossing firing. Miscreants set motorcycle on fire.
12:05 pm:
12:03 pm: Bharat bandh successful in Bulandhshahr, UP. Thousands of Dalits from surrounding areas reach Bulandshahr. Protests continue amid tight security.
Watch video: Jai Bhim Sena stages protests in Delhi; rail, road traffic affected in Bihar, Rajasthan, UP
12:01 pm: Haryana's Karnal witnesses massive traffic jams as protesters block highway.
11:59 am: Lathis for unemployed, lathis for students, lathis for farmers, lathis for Dalits... Will BJP government leave the British behind in cruelty: Congress
11:55 am: Protestors blocked Barakhamba road. Police diverted the traffic.
11:45 am: Protest at Delhi-Hardiwar highway turns violent, arson and firing reported from the site.
11:36 am: Keeping Dalits in the lowest strata of Indian society is RSS/BJP's DNA. They crush those who dare challenge it. Thousands of Dalits have taken to streets to demand their rights. We salute them: Rahul Gandhi on Twitter.
11:35 am: Rail traffic disrupted for two hours in Delhi's neighbouring Ghaziabad after protesters come down on tracks. Police lathicharged youth supporting bandh after protests turned violent, a bike was set on fire.
11:35 am: In UP's Meerut, Dalits blocked traffic at Maliyana crossing. Police engage in a scuffle with female protesters. Over 1 dozen vehicles set on fire.
11:33 am: I wish to convey that today we've filed a petition on the judgement by Supreme Court on the SC/ST act. We have filed a comprehensive review petition which will be presented before the court by the senior lawyers of the government: Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Law Minister
11:30 am: Scuffle between protesters and Police in Ranchi, Jharkhand, several people injured.
11:26 am: Centre files review petition in Supreme Court against the verdict on SC/ST Act
11:20 am: Protests start in Haryana's Ambala, former minister Nirmal Singh also joins bandh supporters.
11:05 am: Protesters block rail traffic in Jaipur, barricades broken
11:12 am: Rajasthan - Protest turns violent in Barmer, cars and property damaged.
11:12 am:
10:54 am:
10:28 am: Dalit protesters observe Bharat bandh in Bihar's Muzaffarpur. Roads blocked, roadside hoardings torn apart.
10:31 am: Students of Chaudhary Charan Singh University in UP's Meerut.
10:20 am:
10:10 am:
09:53 am: Jai Bhim Sena workers blocked the main highway between Bihar's Gaya and Patna. Bandh effective in Motihari as well. NH-28 blocked, political party workers burning bamboos.
09:47 am: In Punjab's Patlia, protesters tried to block rail traffic but police prevented them from getting on tracks.
09:45 am: In Rajasthan's Alwar, youth supporting bandh stop Jaipur Delhi double-decker train near Ghatla ka railway station. They forcefully managed to get stop the train and started to shout slogans. Because of this, Jaipur Delhi Railway track has been blocked. Railway officials have held Shatabdi train back at railway station because of the protests.
09:22 am: RJD workers block a road in Patna's Kumrhar. RJD leader Umesha Yadav alleged that Union govt is anti-Dalit. "Mahadalits are being denied their rights, they are are trying to muzzle the voices of the Dalits," Yadav added.
09:02: Impact of bandh also visible in Nawada, Bihar. Thousands of workers of different political parties force shopkeepers to shut businesses. Traffic queues run in kilometres as NH-31 blocked by protesters. Rail traffic also blocked in Nawada.
09:00 am:
09:00 am: Stone spelted on state transport bus in Maharashtra's Nandurbar All shops and offices shut in the city.
08:58 am: Bandh supporters stop goods and passenger trains in Bihar's Begusarai.
08:39 am: Bihar's Farbisganj, Araria face chakka jam as dozens of dalit protesters take to streets against changes in SC/ST act.
08:38 am: Hajipur-Patna main road blocked by bandh supporters, only ambulances allowed to pass.
08:41 am: Of course a review petition (SC/ST protection act) should be filed and its the right of the Government, its a legal procedure. The basic question is to why they were unable to present the case properly before SC and lost, inquiry needed: AM Singhvi, Congress
08:40 am:
07:40 am: The Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry will today file a review petition in the Supreme Court against the said changes in the SC/ST act on behalf of the Centre govt.
07:25 am: Bandh supporters in Bihar's Aara blocked road and rail traffic to protest against the dilution of SCs/STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
07:22 am: Protesters blocked a passenger and a good train on Patna -Gaya route near Jahanabad in Bihar. NH-83 and NH-110 were also blocked.
07:01 am: Movement of trains in Odisha's Sambalpur blocked by protesters against Supreme Court's decision on SC/ST Protection Act
07:00 am: Punjab government has shut down all schools and transport for the day as a precautionary measure as Punjab has the highest concentration of scheduled tribes among states. They constitute nearly 32 percent of the state's 2.8 crore population.
06:50 am: The Punjab government has asked the Army and para-military forces to be on alert.
06:40 am: Members of Punjab Congress, which has declared solidarity with the protesters will hand over a memorandum to the Governor against the Supreme Court ruling during the day.
Watch video: Widespread violence by Dalit organisations across India
