Lok Sabha passes SC/ST amendment bill, Dalits calls off nationwide bandh

NEW DELHI: On Thursday, dalit groups called off their Bharath Bandh after the Lok Sabha passes the SC/ST amendment bill, which diluted certain provisions of the original legislation.

On Wednesday, the All India Ambedkar Mahasabha(AIAM) in a statement said, “Our major demand regarding the restoration of the SC/ST has been fulfilled.”

People were advised not to participate in the August 9 Bharath Bandh called by the dalit organisation by Ramdas Athawale, Union Minister of state for social justice and empowerment. He told to maintain peace, harmony among them.

Bharti thanked many leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, H D Devegowda, Sharad Yadav, Sitaram Yechury, D Raja and V M Singh for their support to this cause. Bharti is a dalit activist in AIAM. She said that the AIAM has achieved its first milestone by protecting the law.

Bharti told that they have given the government more time to consider their other demands like release of jailed dalit leaders. We will work on the deadline for our new demands.