Chandigarh: The National Scheduled Castes Alliance, a socio-political organization, today announced that it shall file a special leave petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court of India against the recent order weakening the provisions of bail and punishment in the Scheduled Castes And The Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Further, the Alliance welcomed the collective decision taken by the Punjab State Legislators against the order of the Supreme Court and called for a more proactive and united approach by the legislators to tackle this verdict.
Noting that the Act was being abused, the Supreme Court, last week, laid down safeguards, including provisions for anticipatory bail, “preliminary enquiry” before registering a case, and prior sanction before arrest.
Paramjit Singh Kainth, President of the Alliance said “Though we welcome the decision of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in this issue, we also want to bring to notice that the government can’t make such decisions just to appease the roaring sentiments within the Scheduled Castes community in Punjab. The Punjab Government has been unable so far to implement the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015 in Punjab, this kind of delay in implementation is reminiscent of the ignorant and apathetic attitude of the State government against the Scheduled Castes community.”
Kainth further stated “There is dire need for the various leaders and politicians in the traditional parties like Akali-BJP, Congress and newcomers like AAP, to be educated on the issues and policies relating to the scheduled castes population. SC community forms a comprehensive part of Punjab’s culture and population, almost 35% of people living in Punjab belong to this community which has been suffering social boycott, discrimination and in recent times been the main target of violent acts of assault, rape and murder. The urgency required to tackle with issues hindering the progress and development of the SC community is absent within these so called “Voices of people’.
Even the social welfare ministers needs to be informed about the same.”
“The Social Welfare Minister, Sadhu Singh Dharamsot needs to be informed by the officials under him about the present state of SC/ST Act in Punjab. The 2015 Amendment passed by the President needs to be first passed in the Vidhan Sabha and then needs to be notified by the State Government. This lack of constitutional know how and lack of interest in policy implementation is why the people are suffering even more under the present regime. The bureaucracy and the politicians have formed a nexus which is definitely not in anyone’s best interest except their own and especially not in positive regard for the people.” said Kainth.
Kainth finally concluded by saying “The National Scheduled Castes Alliance will file a SLP in the Hon’ Supreme Court of India so that it can be a party in the SC/ST Act and also so that it can appeal to the Supreme Court representing the voices and opinions of the Scheduled Castes community in general.”
