April 2018 caste protests in India
| April 2018 caste protests in India | |
|---|---|
| Date | 2 April 2018 |
| Location | |
| Caused by | The Supreme Court order on the Atrocities Act |
| Methods | Protesting, rioting, arson, mobbing |
| Status | ongoing |
| Casualties | |
| Death(s) | 9[1] |
In early April 2018, thousands of people belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes protested against an order of the Supreme Court of India. In subsequent violence, at least nine died and hundreds injured.[1]
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 an First Information Report (FIR) and arrest the accused on receiving a complaint.[2] 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.[3] 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.[2] The Attorney General of India, on behalf of the Government of India, filed a review petition against the order of the Supreme Court.[4]
Protests
People from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) protested against the Supreme Court order.[5] Thousands of people took to the streets on 2 April 2018 when a national strike was announced by the SC/ST caste groups. The protests turned violent across several states in India as the protestors blocked trains, damaged property, and clashed with police and other civilians. There were also incidents involving arson, vandalism and gunfire. At least nine persons were killed: six in Madhya Pradesh, two in Uttar Pradesh, one in Rajasthan; hundreds were injured.[1] Violent incidents were also reported in the states Punjab, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra and Delhi.[6][7]
Thousands of protesters were arrested and curfew was imposed in several places. 1700 anti-riot police were sent to states by the Government of India.[6]
Aftermath
The Supreme Court held hearing on the review petition on 3 April 2018 but did not stay the order and have called to hear the matter in ten days.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d "SC refuses to stay its order on SC/ST Act; to hear matter in 10 days. The members of scheduled caste and scheduled tribes along with many other backward caste members rallied on 3rd April 2018 throughout India. They called for Bharat Bandh on 2nd April 2018, First time in Indian History. tribes". dna. 2018-04-03. Retrieved 2018-04-03.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ a b "Dalit fury and what led up to it". The Times of India. Retrieved 2018-04-03.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ Johari, Aarefa. "Supreme Court says SC/ST Atrocities Act is misused. So what explains the low conviction rates?". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2018-04-03.
- ^ "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) - ^ "'Bharat Bandh' against SC's ruling on SC/ST Act: Top developments", The Times of India, 3 April 2018
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
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