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Three BJP-ruled states withdraw order enforcing SC rule on SC/ST Act
BJP-ruled states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh decide to file review petition in Supreme Court against order on SC/ST Act
The BJP ruled governments of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh on Tuesday withdrew directives issued to implement the Supreme Court order on the new procedure for registration of cases and arrest under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe (Atrocities) Act.
Chief ministers of the three states said the circular to enforce the SC order was issued without their knowledge and their respective state governments will also file a review petition in the Supreme Court. The Centre and Kerala government have already filed a review petition, while the Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday decided to file a similar petition.
The BJP ruled states decided to revoke the circular issued by police headquarters was following a nudge from the BJP top brass, which is trying to portray that it had nothing to do with the SC order that led to April 2 Bharat Bandh call by Dalit organisations, in which 11 persons were killed in different parts of the country.
Agencies quoted officials sources saying that the Centre had kept an Ordinance ready to annul the order of the court, depending on the outcome of its petition. The court on March 20 had laid down guidelines to prevent the alleged misuse of the Scheduled Castes and the Schedule Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
In Raipur, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said, “Our state has been always sensitive towards SCs and STs and hence the order (April 6) has been taken back. We will appeal against decision of Supreme Court just like the Centre.”
The Congress had, however, made a political issue out of it saying that the directive showed BJP government’s “bias” towards the SC and ST communities. “It is clear from this order that the BJP is indulging in double speaking and deceit towards the SC/ST community in the state,” said Congress spokesperson PL Punia on Monday.
In Jaipur, the home department in a statement said Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje had directed to revoke the order and the state government be made a party in the review petition filed by Centre in the Supreme Court against ‘dilution’ of SC/ST law.
Earlier, Raje told media persons that the orders were issued without her knowledge and said the state government is committed towards the welfare of SC and ST.
The Tamil Nadu government also announced that it will move the apex court. The decision was arrived at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister K Palaniswami with his cabinet colleagues, including his deputy O Panneerselvam, an official release said.
Indicating that more states will move the apex court, home ministry officials said state governments are with the Centre on the issue of recalling the Supreme Court order.
“The Centre has made it abundantly clear that there should be no dilution of the SC/ST Act. It has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court for recall of its order. As far as states are concerned, they are also on board. They are in touch with the Centre and many of them are taking steps. Some have already announced that they will associate with the Centre,” a home ministry official said.
(With agency inputs)
