New Delhi, Sep 5: A Bharat Bandh (nationwide strike) has been called by 35 organisation in Madhya Pradesh to protest against the SC/ST Act. Following the call for Bharat Bandh on September 6, security has been tightened up across Madhya Pradesh, with Section 144 imposed in six districts to prevent any untoward incident during the proposed stir.

The call for Bharat Bandh is reportedly given by outfits of upper caste and OBC to protest against the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2018, brought by the Modi government to overturn a Supreme Court order. Parliament passed the Bill in August this year following widespread protests by Dalit groups. All You Need to Know About Bharat Bandh.

On March 20, the Supreme Court had taken note of the rampant misuse of the stringent SC/ST Act against government servants and held that there shall be no immediate arrest on any complaint filed under the law. It had passed a slew of directions and said a public servant can be arrested in cases lodged under the SC/ST Act only after prior approval by the competent authority. Bharat Bandh on September 6: Madhya Pradesh on High Alert Ahead of Protest Against SC/ST Act, Know What Will Remain Shut or Stay Open.

Following the apex court's judgement, Dalit groups staged protests in several parts of the country, forcing the government to file a review petition and eventually to bring a Bill to overturn the verdict. The SC/ST Amendment Bill rules out any provision for anticipatory bail for a person accused of atrocities against SC/STs, notwithstanding any court order.

The legislation provides that no preliminary inquiry will be required for registering a criminal case and an arrest under this law would not be subject to any approval. It also ensures that no initial enquiry will be necessary for registering a criminal case and an arrest under this law would not be subject to any approval.

Upper caste and OBS groups are angry that why the government overturned the Supreme Court judgement. The anger is boiling because of the two reasons — the belief that reservation for SC/STs hurts their job and educational prospects and the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act is being misused.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 05, 2018 10:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).