Kerala: Dalit outfits call for hartal on April 9 to protest Act dilution

Thiruvananthapuram: Various dalit organizations, including BSP, CSDS and DHRM, have called for a state-wide hartal on Monday to protest against the alleged dilution of Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Prevention of Atrocities Act.
Meanwhile, the CPM led Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch (DSSM) which functions under the banner of Pattikajathi Kshema Samithi (PKS) in Kerala will take out a Raj Bhavan march on Friday to protest against the dilution of the Act.

The organisation is also holding separate marches to central government offices in other districts. CPM Rajya Sabha MP Soma Prasad said since the dalit organisations which called for hartal on Monday unilaterally, the PKS will not be joining it. “But we will not oppose the hartal call as it was for a common cause,” he added. The State Assembly on Wednesday had unanimously passed a resolution urging the Centre to seek all legal means available to fight the verdict, and also to initiate legislation to overcome its negative impact.

The resolution, which was read out by SC/ST minister A.K. Balan in the Assembly said that Section 3 of the 1989 Act viewed atrocities against backward sections seriously, and had laid down stringent punishment for violations. And if public servants fail in their duty towards the backward sections, section 4 of the Act prescribes tough penal action.