Modi Cabinet approves amendment to restore provisions in SC/ST Act

The Narendra Modi government on Wednesday gave its nod to the proposal of bringing a constitution amendment bill in Parliament to reinstate the original provisions of the SC/ST Act, in which dalits will be protected from any sort of atrocities.

According to reports, the Bill will be passed during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.

The Union Cabinet's decision to introduce the bill came amidst continuous pressure from alliance partners, including Ram Vilas Paswan's LJP and Ramdas Athawale's RPI.

As per the amendment, preliminary enquiry shall not be required for registration of an FIR against any person and an arrest, if necessary will not require any approval. Under this act, Section 438 of CrPC will not be applied.

Read | BJP holds Parliamentary Party meet; discusses key issues like Assam NRC, SC/ST Act

The amendment, if passed by Parliament, will nullify the Supreme Court's March 20 judgement, which stated that arrests of accused under the law can happen only after proper investigation.

The order had triggered a nationwide protest by dalit organisations, who threatened to call a Bharat Bandh if the restoration of the actual provisions is not made before August 7.

Earlier, Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan and his son Chirag also hinted a large-scale protest all over the country in case a new Bill or Ordnance is not made to strengthen the provisions of the SC/ST Act that was passed in 1989.

Read | Mamata meets Advani, Kirti Azad, Cong leaders in Parliament