Bharat Bandh: Protests by Dalit groups over SC/ST Act on April 2, 2018 - As it happened

At least nine persons have been killed and hundreds injured during the nationwide bandh.

In Madhya Pradesh, at least six persons have died, while two persons died in Uttar Pradesh and one in Rajasthan, PTI reported.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has directed the security forces to stay on alert in view of the "volatile situation" prevailing in some of the neighbouring states.

Madhya Pradesh: 16 additional companies of SSB, 4 companies of RAF, 2 companies to STF and 3000 trainee constables to be deployed across the state following incidents of violence during protests over SC/ST Protection Act today. #BharatBandh

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

Uttarakhand: Section 144 imposed (prohibits assembly of more than 4 people in an area) in Haridwar following protests over SC/ST Protection Act today

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

Class Xth and XIIth exams were conducted smoothly today as per schedule across the country amidst the call for #BharatBandh: CBSE

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

Ghaziabad: All schools and colleges, except schools conducting board examinations to remain closed tomorrow following protests over SC/ST protection act today.

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 2, 2018

Hapur: All schools and colleges, except those schools conducting board examinations to remain shut tomorrow in lieu of protests over SC/ST protection act today. #BharatBandh

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 2, 2018

Few unfortunate incidents took place today. Strict action will be taken against those responsible. I appeal to everyone to maintain peace and harmony, and not pay attention to rumours. It is government's responsibility to ensure safety and security of all sections of the society, says MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Bus carrying doctors and nurses from AIIMS Delhi was attacked by protesters on Delhi-Ghaziabad highway (NH-24) near Ghaziabad's Shivpuri during protests over SC/ST Protection Act, earlier today. pic.twitter.com/PLV2nAysHF

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

Also Read: Rajnath Singh appeals for peace, says 'deeply pained by violence'

Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar says the Supreme Court and the Centre were responsible for Monday's violence in various states during the nationwide bandh called by Dalit outfits.

"Government and the SC are responsible for this violence. The government is creating an unsafe atmosphere for Dalit communities while the apex court's recent order diluting the SC/ST Atrocities Act has forced the community to take to streets," the grandson of Dalit icon BR Ambedkar said.

Also Read: Over 100 trains disrupted as Dalit groups protest over SC/ST Act

I am deeply pained by the acts of violence and loss of precious lives in some parts of the country today during protests in context of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 2, 2018

The Govt. of India is committed to ensuring welfare of SC/STs and other weaker sections and also guaranteeing them full protection of law. The Govt. has already filed a review petition in the Supreme Court to maintain the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act in its presents form.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 2, 2018

I appeal to all political parties to help in maintaining harmony among different sections of the society. I also appeal to the people, not to fall prey to rumours and false propaganda unleashed by mischievous elements.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 2, 2018

The Government of India has advised all states to maintain law and order and we are ready to provide assistance to any state that may require so.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 2, 2018

The Government of India has advised all states to maintain law and order and we are ready to provide assistance to any state that may require so.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 2, 2018

The Centre rushes 1,700 anti-riot police personnel to Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Punjab. While eight companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) were sent to Uttar Pradesh, four companies were dispatched to Madhya Pradesh and three to Rajasthan, a Home Ministry official said, PTI reported. An RAF company consists of around 100 personnel.

Total 2 protesters dead in Uttar Pradesh during protests over SC/ST protection act. #BharatBandh

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 2, 2018

Some police personnel have been injured during #BharatBandh. Situation is under control now, however all districts are still on high alert. We've lathicharged & used water cannon wherever it was needed. No culprit will be spared & strict action will be taken: DIG, Law & Order, UP pic.twitter.com/9lsdUD6nTM

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 2, 2018

Many people have been detained across all districts in Rajasthan. Internet services was suspended and section 144 was imposed in certain districts, says DGP.

Madhya Pradesh, UP and Punjab have so far requested for Central Forces. Rapid Action Force (RAF) and CAPFs have been made available. Ministry has asked the states to take all preventive measures and maintain public order and ensure the safety of lives of people and property.

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

Union Ministry of Home Affairs is closely monitoring the situation in the wake of #BharatBandh protests. The Ministry is in constant touch with the states. Whichever state has asked for Central Forces, they have been made available immediately.

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

#BharatBandh protest over SC/ST Protection Act: Visuals of protesters gathered at Delhi's Connaught Place. pic.twitter.com/FTTPPGmNRp

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

Two more deaths have been reported. One from UP's Muzaffarnagar and one from Rajasthan's Alwar, as per reports.

4 people have died, can't confirm number of people injured as yet. Police officials have also got injured. Police is still on field & is trying to restore peace, once that's done we'll file cases & begin inquiry on people who've caused disruption: IG (law &order), MP #BharatBandh pic.twitter.com/mEPtJ1cpOR

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje‏ appeals for peace, says 'our government is committed to the protection of the rights of SCs and STs.

केन्द्र सरकार ने माननीय उच्चत्तम न्यायालय में पुनर्विचार याचिका दाखिल कर दी है। सभी से अनुरोध है कि वो सर्वसमाज के हित में शांति बनाए रखें। SC- ST के अधिकारों की रक्षा के लिए हमारी सरकार संकल्पित है।

— Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) April 2, 2018

2 protesters killed in Gwalior, 1 in Bhind & 1 in Morena. Several police officials also injured during #BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act. #MadhyaPradesh

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

Also Read: Mayawati supports protests against SC/ST Act, condemns violence

It has been our Govt which further strengthened the protection for backward castes by passing The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015.

— Dr. Thawarchand Gehlot (@TCGEHLOT) April 2, 2018

Our Govt is not only committed to protect the rights given to SC/STs but is going one step ahead and holistically improving their lives. For years, they have been used as mere vote banks to form Govts. We are empowering backward castes as nation builders to create a New India.

— Dr. Thawarchand Gehlot (@TCGEHLOT) April 2, 2018

Successive Governments did not put trust on people of backward castes when it came to lending. With initiatives like Stand Up India & Mudra,
people of backward castes are empowered to become entrepreneurs.

— Dr. Thawarchand Gehlot (@TCGEHLOT) April 2, 2018

Strict action should be taken against those who spread violence during the protests: BSP Chief Mayawati #BharatBandh pic.twitter.com/8ygHO7BzU9

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 2, 2018

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, says BSP chief Mayawati.

He is the main conspirator of this violence and we have detained him: Manzil Saini, SSP Meerut on former BSP MLA Yogesh Verma #BharatBandh pic.twitter.com/GuVRZlVLij

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 2, 2018

Police lathicharges protesters in Haryana's Yamunanagar during Bharat Bandh. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BharatBandh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BharatBandh</a> over SC/ST protection act: Police lathicharges protesters in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Haryana?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Haryana</a>&#39;s Yamunanagar. <a href="https://t.co/a6mWooQbOX">pic.twitter.com/a6mWooQbOX</a></p>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/980752931652857857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Bus vandalized and set ablaze during Bharat Bandh protest in Azamgarh.

#BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: Bus vandalized & set ablaze during protest in Azamgarh. pic.twitter.com/smRy8IdG9w

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 2, 2018

Centre sends four companies to MP and UP. Four RAF companies also deployed in Meerut, Hapur, Agra, Gwalior and Bhopal.
 

Vehicles set ablaze in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar

#BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: Visuals of vehicles set ablaze during protest in Muzaffarnagar. pic.twitter.com/r5FsdkfD3M

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 2, 2018

Bharat Bandh: RJD leader of opposition Tejashwi Yadav with MLAs stage a protest against the alleged 'dilution' of the SCs/STs Act by Supreme court, at Bihar Assembly in Patna on Monday (PTI photo)

At least 19 people were injured in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior, out of which two are in critical condition. Internet service have been blocked in Gwalior district till 6:00 am on Tuesday.

Another person died in Gwalior during the clashes. Curfew has been implemented in six areas. More details awaited

Shots fired during protests in Madhya Pradesh

#WATCH #BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act:Shots fired during protests in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior pic.twitter.com/p8mW36qL0s

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

#BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: Visuals of protest from Kutch's Gandhidham. #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/XglsHw8xUf

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

"Delhi Police is alert. We have adequate police deployment at places & senior officials are also present in the field. All steps will be taken to maintain law and order," Deependra Pathak, Spokesperson, Delhi Police on Bharat Bandh over SC/ST protection act

#BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: Shops being forcibly shut down by protesters in Dehradun. #Uttarakhand pic.twitter.com/ocQ8Tm11Km

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

#BharatBandh over SC/ST Protection Act: Curfew imposed in parts of Gwalior & Section 144 (prohibits assembly of more than 4 people in the area) imposed in Sagar. #MadhyaPradesh

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

#BharatBandh protest over SC/ST Protection Act: One dead in Morena, curfew imposed in the area #MadhyaPradesh

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

One person died in Madhya Pradesh's Morena - some 450 kilometres from the state capital of Bhopal - after police resorted to preventive firing at a group of demonstrators protesting against the dilution of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act following a Supreme Court order. Rahul Pathak was reportedly standing on the balcony of his house in an area where demonstrators clashed with police personnel. To ensure law and order situation did not deteriorate, police officials fired warning shots - one bullet hitting Rahul. Read more

In the ongoing clashes between the law enforcement agencies and demonstrators in Madhya Pradesh's Morena, the police fired at the mob, leading to the death of one person identified as Rahul Pathak

"The central and state governments are dedicated towards the welfare of backward castes, SC & ST. I appeal to all to not disturb the law & order. If at all there are any issues you can bring them to govt's notice," said UP CM Yogi Adityanath. 

Clashes erupted between protestors and police in Jharkhand's Ranchi:

#WATCH #BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: Clash between protesters and Police in Ranchi. Several people injured #Jharkhand pic.twitter.com/nYc19J6oUu

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

#BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: Scuffle between protesters and Police in Ranchi #Jharkhand pic.twitter.com/6QCPjVT6KT

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

"I wish to convey that today we've filed a petition on the judgement by Supreme Court on the SC/ST act. We have filed a comprehensive review petition which will be presented before the court by the senior lawyers of the government," said Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad

 Centre files review petition against Supreme Court verdict on SC/ST Act

Visuals of protest from Mandi House in Delhi:

#BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: Visuals of protest from Mandi House in Delhi pic.twitter.com/7gfHhMS4YI

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

Now protests get violent in Bihar's Barmer 

#BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: Protest turns violent in Barmer, cars and property damaged. #Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/gZ0rtMSeg5

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

Protest turns violent in Meerut with cars damaged 

#BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: Protest turns violent in Meerut, cars damaged pic.twitter.com/T5a9szGtDI

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 2, 2018

Protestors in  Rajasthan's Bharatpur:

#BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: Visuals of protest from Rajasthan's Bharatpur pic.twitter.com/m3C8nBqXvW

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

Protestors stop train in Patiala 

#BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: Protesters stop train in Punjab's Patiala pic.twitter.com/JCohWtQaXO

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

Clashes erupted between Bhim Sena and Bajrangal Dal in Madhya Pradesh's Bhind.

In Bihar, thousands of Dalit members staged protests with posters, banners and flags. Supporters of the Bhim Army and other Dalit organisations, halted over a dozen long-distance trains, and as a result, passengers were stranded at Patna, Gaya, Jehanabad, Bhagalpur, Ara, Darbhanga, Araria, Nalanda and Hajipur railway stations.

Reports of violence emerging from Agra with protestors vandalising property near railway station. 

Protestors at Forbesganj Junction in Bihar

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BharatBandh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BharatBandh</a> over SC/ST protection act: Protesters stop train at Forbesganj Junction.  <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bihar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bihar</a> <a href="https://t.co/NZr0LlTFQ6">pic.twitter.com/NZr0LlTFQ6</a></p>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/980655375312740357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Protestors stop trains in Bihar's Arrah

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BharatBandh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BharatBandh</a> over SC/ST protection act: Different groups including CPIML activists protest in Bihar&#39;s Arrah, block a train <a href="https://t.co/ss4jn1C4ak">pic.twitter.com/ss4jn1C4ak</a></p>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/980645758931218434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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BJP MP Savitri Bai Phule called out her own government at the Centre over the recent increase in crimes against Dalits at a massive rally in Lucknow on Sunday.

Tejashwi Yadav tweeted, "Our party @RJDforIndia is totally out in full support of #BharatBandh against the dilution of SC/ST Act by Modi Govt."

First tell why you were unable to present it properly with facts before SC? Why don’t you come up with an ordinance on it rather than review petition? And Why decision of review petition just before #BharatBandh https://t.co/THIqRaKOM0

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) April 2, 2018

"Review petition by the Government against the SC judgement on SC/ST Protection Act shall be filed positively on tomorrow, Monday, April 2," Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad tweeted on Sunday.

Earlier, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) informed their support for the Bharat Bandh. Lalu Yadav's son and former Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav‏ wrote on Twitter, "The RJD supports the support Bharat Bandh in relation to SC / ST Act. Modi Government wants to change the Constitution. Atrocities are going on in the country with the Dalits. Now, it's time to teach the anti-dalit-backward-poor BJP a lesson."

SC/ST एक्ट मामले को लेकर भारत बंद में राजद का पूर्ण सहयोग और समर्थन है।

मोदी सरकार संविधान बदलने में लगी है। देश में दलितों के साथ अत्याचार हो रहा है। अबकी बार दलित,पिछड़ा और ग़रीब विरोधी भाजपा को सबक़ सिखाना है।#SCSTAct

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) April 1, 2018

"Of course a review petition (of SC/ST protection act) should be filed and its the right of the Government, it is a legal procedure. The basic question is to why they were unable to present the case properly before SC and lost, inquiry needed," says Congress leader AM Singhvi tells news agency ANI.

Heavy layer of security across Amritsar.

#BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: Visuals from Amritsar #Punjab pic.twitter.com/7K5632j76Z

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

What exactly is the SC/ST Act and why is it controversial? Read here

Punjab government has declared closure of all educational institutions and suspension of mobile Internet services in the state. Punjab Chief Secretary Karan A Singh wrote to the Secretary of Department of Defence, saying, "Army in Punjab to remain ready for any eventuality as state govt may need their assistance in maintaining law and order during bandh called by several Dalit organisations against amendment of SC/ST Act."

Movement of train in Odisha's Sambalpur was affected after protesters blocked the train line against Supreme Court's decision on SC/ST Protection Act BharatBandh

Movement of train in #Odisha's Sambalpur blocked by protesters against Supreme Court's decision on SC/ST Protection Act #BharatBandh pic.twitter.com/8z5NOM7onJ

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

Following the call for nationwide Bharat Bandh, the CBSE Board papers for Classes X and XII, scheduled to be held on Monday, have been postponed in Punjab. 

"Supreme Court`s decision on SC/ST Protection Act would not be able to provide justice to the suppressed people, and those accused and deserving of punishment would be saved. Union government took cognizance of it, and the Law Ministry with our ministry, took the decision that review petition will be filed against the court`s decision," Gehlot told ANI.

Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot also confirmed that the Centre will file a review petition against Supreme Court`s decision on Monday

"What is the point of organising a Bharat Bandh? The government is positively going to file the review petition," Paswan told ANI.

Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Sunday raised question over all-India bandh against the Supreme Court`s ruling on the SC/ST Act, while saying that Centre is positively going to file the review petition