Bharat bandh against SC/ST Act amendments, section 144 imposed in parts of MP, Police gears up for protests. The groups also demanded quota system based on economic status and not on the grounds of caste and religion.
Hundreds of people from the upper caste communities took to streets across the country, particularly in north India, to protest against the The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
After the Supreme Court diluted the provision of mandatory arrests under the SC/ST Act, sparking protests by Dalit organisations, the Union government brought an amendment in the monsoon session of Parliament to override the apex court's order.
In view of the proposed bandh, the administration has imposed prohibitive orders under CrPC in four districts- Morena, Shivpuri and Bhind, all three in Gwalior-Chambal region, as well as in Ashok Nagar district.
All India Ambedkar Mahasabha (AIAM) issued a statement, stating that their major demand regarding restoration of SC/ST Act has been fulfilled.
The government will now bring the bill to restore the original provisions of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act will in Parliament, the report said.
An official of the MHA said the ministry has issued the advisory to all states to take necessary precautionary measures on the occasion on Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14.
It said the top court verdict, which had dealt with an issue of a "very sensitive nature", has caused "commotion", "anger, unease and a sense of disharmony" in the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in Bihar today for centenary celebrations of the 'Champaran Satyagraha', slammed the opposition for putting hurdles "from the Parliament to the streets".
Supporters, mostly upper castes youths, blocked roads and forcibly enforced the nationwide shutdown in Ara town, Bhojpur district.
In order to avoid any untoward incident, security has been tightened in various states including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bhopal.
The missive came a week after a similar protest saw massive violence in different parts of the country leading to the death of about a dozen people.
Mayawati's sharp remarks came even as the BJP MPs from Dalit community expressed their displeasure towards the 'treatment of the Scheduled Caste community at the hands of their government'.
He said, "Law and order is top priority of the state government and any attempt to affect it will be dealt with an iron hand."
Surendra Singh, the MLA from Baira, said the apex court's March 20 verdict putting safeguards on arrest under the stringent Act "will definitely prove instrumental in safeguarding the humanity".
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