Centre to Supreme Court: SC/ST Act verdict caused disharmony
On Thursday, PM Modi-led government told the Supreme Court that its recent judgment on the SC/ST Act "diluted" the law, causing "great damage" to the country. It said the way the apex court dealt with a "sensitive issue" caused "commotion, anger, unease and a sense of disharmony" in the country. The Centre said the SC verdict may have to be reviewed and recalled.
What was the court's order regarding the SC/ST act?
On March 20, the SC barred registration of cases and automatic arrest in alleged cases of harassment of SCs and STs under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act) 1989. Arrest of government servants would need prior sanction, and private citizens can only be arrested after the inquiry. The purpose, it said, was to protect honest public servants from being blackmailed with false cases.
How did the public react?
Dalit groups alleged that this move diluted the law meant to safeguard them. They clashed with the police, attacked buses and government property and blockaded trains and roads in states like MP, UP, Rajasthan, etc. The intense agitation left about nine dead. They also called for a nationwide shutdown on this issue on April 2. Subsequently, BJP filed a review petition in the SC.
Now, what is the Centre's opinion?
The Attorney General KK Venugopal said that through its judgment, the top court has not filled the gaps in the SC/ST Act but amended it through judicial legislation. He emphasized that the separation of powers among the legislature, executive and judiciary was "inviolable."
