DMK protests in Chennai over dilution of SC/ST Act

DMK leader MK Stalin said the Supreme Court order to dilute the SC/ST Act was unacceptable and demanded that the central government file an appeal in the top court.

The DMK, along with other opposition parties, staged a protest in Chennai on Monday against the alleged dilution of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

DMK leader MK Stalin demanded that the central government file an appeal in the Supreme Court and also include the Act under the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution. (PTI File Photo)

Addressing the gathering, DMK leader MK Stalin said the Supreme Court order to dilute the Act was unacceptable.

Stalin demanded that the central government file an appeal in the Supreme Court and also include the Act under the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.

The political parties that participated in the protest were DMK, Congress, IUML, MDMK, VCK and MMK.

The apex court in its March 20 order said an accused cannot be mandatorily arrested under the Act without an initial probe.

The Dalit organisations and various civil society groups see it as “dilution” and accuse the Narendra Modi government of conniving in the case.