The April 2 Bharat Bandh was called to protest against the Supreme Court’s ruling on the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.
NEW DELHI: The Union home ministry in view of the Bharat bandh had issued an advisory that some groups would be protesting against caste-based reservations in jobs and education.
A week after Dalit groups across the country held a nationwide protest against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act by the Supreme Court, which witnessed massive violence in different parts of the countryleading to the death of nine people.
Security alerts have also been issued in a number of states, particularly in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, from where the deaths were reported on April 2.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in its advisory said, “MHA has advised the states to beef up security and make appropriate arrangements to prevent any untoward incident, including issue of prohibitory orders, if necessary.The ministry advisory also said Districts Magistrates and police chiefs will be personally held responsible for any violence in areas under their control.
In Uttar Pradesh, an advisory was issued to all district police chiefs, asking them to ensure that law and order was maintained.
In Madhya Pradesh, curfew has been imposed in Bhind and Morena. While calls for the bandh are being circulated on social media, no group has yet come forward to make it official.
In Bharatpur Rajasthan, section 144 has been imposed until April 15 and the Internet services will also remain suspended until 9 am today.
Section 144 has been imposed in several places in states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Internet services have also been suspended at some places following reports of posts on social media and messages on WhatsApp calling for the protests on April 10.
The Centre filed an appeal in the Supreme Court, asking it to review its order regarding the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
