Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 2: Members of various reserved categories and organizations including BSP and SC/ST Cell of NC held protest demonstrations in connection with the call for Bharat bandh.
Jammu Kashmir Reserved Categories Empowerment Alliance (JKRCEA) held a massive protest demonstration and took out rally in favour of ‘Bharat Bandh Call’ protesting dilution of SC/ST Atrocities Act 1989. They also stressed upon the Central Govt to negate recent SC judgment in this regard by bringing a Parliamentary Resolution.
The JKRCEA, socio-religious wing of retired employees, unemployed youth/students, women etc supported by All India Bhagat Mahasabha, Dalit Chetna Manch. GRDS, Saryara Sabha, Guru Nabha Dass Chartiable Trust, All J&K Balmiki Sabha, Gujjar Bakerwal JAC, AIBCU and scores of socio-religious groups held a massive protest in Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur and others parts of the region to press for a parliamentary resolution to counter the effect of recent Supreme Court judgment due to which the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989, stands diluted.
The main program was held at Ambedkar Chowk which was attended by hundreds of members of reserved categories. The speakers resolved to fight tooth and nail to safeguard constitutional rights meant for these communities. They viewed that both Central and State Governments are hell bent upon damaging these communities. Later, a memorandum addressed to President of India, PM & Law Minister of India was handed over to Divisional Commissioner and at district headquarters it was handed over to District Magistrates’ concerned.
Pertinently, today’s call of JKRCEA and allied groups was in response to the “Bharat Bandh” call of SC/ST/OBC Organizations from all over India.
Bahujan Samaj Party, J&K unit along with other social organisations held a protest at Kunjwani Chowk and all district headquarters where the protesters criticized the Central and State Governments for adopting anti- Dalit policies and weakening the constitutional provisions provided in the Indian Constitution for the welfare and upliftment of the Dalits in social and economic fields.
SR Majotra, State president Bhajan Samaj Party J&K while addressing the gathering criticized the BJP Government for adopting anti- social and anti-Dalit, anti- youth policies and warned the Centre Government to desist from weakening and using the democratic institutions like Judiciary and Press to implement their evil designs. He also condemn the failure of Government advocates in the Supreme Court to defend the case.
National Conference SC/ST Cell staged dharna in Raghunath Mandir Chowk here in protest against the alleged dilution of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989 and assailed the BJP led Government at the Centre for not defending the law during the judicial process.
Led by Chairperson SC/ST Cell, Ram Pal, the protesters took out a march from Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan and held protests in the Chowk to press their demand for seeking early review in the apex court and submission of a forceful counter in defence of the Act.
While addressing the workers he expressed solidarity with the organizations fighting for just cause of the weaker sections of the society, especially Scheduled Castes and said every possible legal course should be adopted to defend the Act during the review petition.
Prominent among those who spoke on the occasion included Qazi Jalal-ud-Din Ex-MLA, Sheikh Bashir Ahmed Provincial secretary, Mohd Ayub Malik, Abdul Gani Teli Co-Chairman OBC Cell and Vijay Lochan Co- Chairman SC Cell.
Various other organizations under Bhim Samaj platform also held protest demonstration here. Various reserved category Govt employees bodies led by R K Kalsotra held protest demonstration in support of Bharat bandh call.
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