Demand for inclusion of SC, ST Act in 9th schedule

​Khammam: Opposing the verdict given by apex court in regard to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities Act), representatives of Kula Vivaksha Porata Samiti (KVPS), All India Democratic Women Association (AIDWA) and Vyavasaya Karmika Sangham staged sit-in here in front of the Collectorate on Friday. They demanded that the government include the SC and ST Act in the ninth schedule of the Constitution.

Speaking at the dharna, KVPS State Vice-president N Manohar said a fitting lesson should be taught to the BJP government for trying to scrap the Act. He said Dr B R Ambedkar had framed the Protection of Civil Rights Act-1955 to prevent attacks on Dalits and Tribal people. The Act later came to be known as SC, ST Prevention of Atrocities Act-1989, he said.

The verdict that is given by the Supreme Court against the SC/ST Act-1989 may lead to an increase in violence against Dalits and Tribal people. He recalled that as many as 11 Dalits died during the protest rally.

The Kerala government filed a review petition against the verdict given by Supreme Court on dilution of SC/ST Act. The TRS government must also file review petition, he demanded.  T-MAS District Convenor Y Srikanth, AIDWA State President Buggaveeti Sarala, District Secretary Macharla Bharati, Vedagiri Srinivas Rao, Vajja Rama Rao, D Krishna, Md.Gouse, M Sathyanaryana, Bandi Padma, K Amaravati, Tanya, Nagamani, Ajith, Begum, M Prasad, Indira, M Upendar, Rambabu, Ramana, Beemaiah, Mallaiah, Sangaiah and Rathamma were present.