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April 2018 caste protests in India

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In early April 2018, thousands of people from SC/ST caste groups protested against an order of the Supreme Court of India. In subsequent violence, nine died and hundreds injured.

Background

The Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 protects the SC/ST caste groups from atrocity. The act does not allow the court to grant anticipatory bail to accused person. Under the act, the police must files a First Information Report (FIR) and arrest the accused on receiving a complaint. On 20 March 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that no arrests can be made without prior permission and allowed a court to grant an anticipatory bail if it, prima facie, finds the complaint an abuse of the law. The Government of India has filed a review petition against the order of the Supreme Court.[1] In 2016, the conviction rate under the act was 25.7% in cases of atrocities against SC and 20.8% in cases against ST in 2016, according to the National Crime Records Bureau.[2]

Protests

The people from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) protested against the SC order.[3] Thousands of people took to the streets on 2 April 2018 when national-wide strike was announced by the SC/ST caste groups. The protests turned violent across several states in India as the protestors blocked trains, damaged public and private properties, clashed with police and people. There were also incidents of arson, vandalism and firing. Nine persons were killed; six in Madhya Pradesh, two in Uttar Pradesh, one in Rajasthan; and hundreds were injured. The incidents of violence was also reported in other states including Punjab, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra and Delhi.[4][5]

Thousands of protesters were arrested and curfew was imposed in several places. 1700 anti-riot police was sent to states by the Government of India.[4]

References

  1. ^ "SC/ST Act: Centre files review petition, says data shows weak execution of law, not its misuse". Hindustan Times. 2018-04-02. Retrieved 2018-04-03. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  2. ^ Johari, Aarefa. "Supreme Court says SC/ST Atrocities Act is misused. So what explains the low conviction rates?". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2018-04-03.
  3. ^ "'Bharat Bandh' against SC's ruling on SC/ST Act: Top developments", The Times of India, 3 April 2018
  4. ^ a b "Bharat Bandh LIVE: Nine Dead; 1,700 Anti-riot Police Personnel Sent to Violence-hit States". News18. 2018-04-02. Retrieved 2018-04-03.
  5. ^ "Bharat bandh highlights: Dalit protests spread across north India; 9 killed in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, UP". Hindustan Times. 2018-04-02. Retrieved 2018-04-03. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
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