Narendra Modi acting against welfare of SC/STs: Varla

Rajamahendravaram: APSRTC Chairman Varla Ramaiah alleged that the attacks on SC/ST communities were increased after BJP came to power at the Centre. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also acting against the welfare of SC/STs in the country, he lamented.

Participating in Dalit, Girijana march here on Wednesday, he said for every 15 minutes, one attack against SC/ST community member was registering in the country, creating panic among these sections.

Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of planning to dilute the SC/ST Atrocities Prevention Act by making amendments to the existing Act, he said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was very much particular in this regard and wrote a letter to the Central government not to dilute the Act.

Can YSRCP president YS Jaganmohan Reddy act against the Central government's attitude towards the Act, he questioned and said he will be sent back to jail if he questions in this regard.  Many accused on whom the cases were registered under the Act were not getting punishment, which led to increase in attacks on these two communities, he told.

SC/ST Commission Chairman Karem Sivaji demanded that the Central government include the Act in 9th schedule and bring an ordinance in this Parliament session. Stating that the March was aimed at mounting pressure on the Centre, he said and added taht all SC/STs will fight against the Union government if it fails to bring an ordinance in this regard.

Minister for Prohibition and Excise KS Jawahar said the BJP government is showing step-motherly treatment towards SC/STs in the country. Minister for Social Welfare Nakka Anand Babu said SC/STs in the country were not happy with the attitude of BJP government as it was trying to suppress them in the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not uttering a single word in favour of SC/ST Atrocities Prevention Act and he himself proposed amendment to dilute the Act, he alleged.