Haryana: Stones hurled at Anil Vij's car, minister escapes unhurt
Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij said two people hurled stones at his official car when he was leaving the secretariat building complex in Panipat on Friday, but he escaped unhurt. Vij, who was in Panipat to chair a grievance redressal committee meeting, said the car's front glass was damaged in the attack. The accused have been arrested, the Panipat police said.
Minister Anil Vij speaks about the attack
"I was about to come out of the secretariat building complex in my car when the stones were hurled at the vehicle which broke its front pane. I and my driver were lucky to escape unhurt."
Protesting "dilution" of the provisions of the SC/ST Act: Accused
The accused, said to be mentally unsound, has told police that they were protesting the "dilution" of the provisions of the SC/ST Act. The Supreme Court on March 20 diluted the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, in a bid to protect honest public servants discharging bonafide duties from being blackmailed with false cases under the Act.
Government servants should not be arrested without prior sanction: SC
The court said government servants should not be arrested without prior sanction and private citizens too should be arrested only after an inquiry under the law. But Dalit organizations and opposition political parties fear the dilution of the provisions might lead to increase in violence against Dalits. They have urged the BJP-led government to seek an immediate review of the Supreme Court's judgment.
