THE All India Agricultural Workers Union (AIAWU) and the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) note how the response to the call for a Bharat Bandh by various dalit organisations has been widespread  in states like Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh, reflecting the anger against the Supreme Court’s decision to dilute the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act and the  refusal of the central government to deal with the situation adequately.

The unions, in a statement issued on April 2, have condemned the brutal police firing which has led to the death of four people in Gwalior, Bhind and Morena in BJP ruled Madhya Pradesh. One person has died in Alwar, Rajasthan. In many other places, there have been attacks by police on protestors.

Such a situation has arisen because of the failure of the Modi government to present an effective case against the dilution of the Prevention of Atrocities Act.

It is imperative that the review petition in the Supreme Court be effectively argued by the government counsel and the effectiveness of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act) should not be violated.

In a statement issued on April 3, the CITU has condemned the brutal killings and attacks on dalits. During its four years rule, the BJP government has earned an infamous record of organised atrocities on dalits throughout the country by its various wing organisations, with patronisation and indulgence by the government administration.  Calling upon the workers to raise a united voice of protest against such atrocities and killings, CITU expressed solidarity with the struggles by dalits for justice and protection against atrocities. It reiterated its demand for strong intervention by the government for urgent review of the concerned Supreme Court judgment and other appropriate legislative measures to prevent any dilution of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.