Mumbai, April 02: Several Dalit organisations, earlier today, called for Bharat Bandh; their protests have turned violent as the day has progressed. States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra are the ones most affected by it.

The nationwide bandh saw people from Dalit community protesting against Supreme Court’s ruling which allegedly dilutes the Schedule Caste/Schedule Tribes (SC/ST) Act.

The protests on Monday saw six people killed; five in Madhya Pradesh and one in Rajasthan, and several others have been injured. The protests have drawn huge support from politicians cut across party lines, and it seems that the call to end violence is instead fuelling the already fiery fire! We bring to you what the political leaders in the opposition camp had to say on the #BharatBandh issue.

1. Rahul Gandhi, India National Congress (INC)

Rahul Gandhi, on his social media Twitter account, launched a veiled attack on the government. Gandhi said, “It is in the DNA of RSS/BJP to keep the people of Dalit community on the lowest pedestal of the Indian society. Whoever has protested against this idea has been suppressed through acts of violence.”

Gandhi added, “…Thousands of Dalit brothers and sisters have thronged the streets and seeking their rights from the Modi-led government. We salute their cause.”

2. Mayawati, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)

BSP supremo Mayawati said that she also supported the ongoing protests against SC/ST Act. However, she was quick to add that she condemned the violence that people have resorted to, in the garb of protests.

Mayawati said, “I support the protest against the SC/ST Act. I have got to know that some people spread violence during the protests, I strongly condemn it. Our party is not behind the violence during the protests. Strict action should be taken against those who spread violence during the protests.”

3. Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal

All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) Chief Mamata Banerjee supported the cause too. Appealing for peace on her Twitter account, she said, “We are shocked and pained that some of my Dalit brothers and sisters have been killed and injured. We support their cause. I appeal for peace.”

4. Jignesh Mevani, Independent MLA from Gujarat

Congress-backed MLA from Gujarat Mevani pledged his support to the cause of protests too. Mevani said that the Supreme Court should take back its ruling as it makes the SC/ST Act worthless. The following ruling by the SC would make more Dalit people more prone to atrocities. In his media byte, he also said that if it doesn’t happen then we will not let BJP leaders touch any BR Ambedkar’s idol across the country from April 14, which also is the day of Ambedkar’s anniversary.

5. Prakash Ambedkar, Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM)

BR Ambedkar’s grandson Prakash Ambedkar appealed for peace and took a dig at the Central government. He said that the Supreme Court should take its ruling back in the SC/ST Act. The government should have been prepared to tackle the issue in a better manner.

Earlier, the central government had filed a review petition in the Supreme Court, seeking to reconsider its decision in the recent SC/ST ruling. The Apex Court had readily agreed government’s proposal and had accepted the appeal. However, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra had denied an urgent hearing in the matter.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 02, 2018 06:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).