Pune: The SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act would not be scrapped but suggestions for genuine amendment could be considered, Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale today said in Pune.
Referring to the "silent agitation" by Maratha community in Maharashtra demanding scrapping of the Act, Athawale, a prominent Dalit leader, said, "Let agitations take place, but under no circumstances the Act will be scrapped because with growing number of atrocities against Dalits in the country, the Act is needed."
He hastened to add that the atrocities against Dalits can not be attributed to a BJP or Congress government, but such incidents happen because some people, who are communal, want to create a rift in the society.
"The Act was formulated after serious deliberations in 1989 and if there are genuine amendments or suggestions, it will be taken into consideration," he said.
He said he had always backed demand of reservations for Marathas.
Referring to the "silent agitation" by Maratha community in Maharashtra demanding scrapping of the Act, Athawale, a prominent Dalit leader, said, "Let agitations take place, but under no circumstances the Act will be scrapped because with growing number of atrocities against Dalits in the country, the Act is needed."
He hastened to add that the atrocities against Dalits can not be attributed to a BJP or Congress government, but such incidents happen because some people, who are communal, want to create a rift in the society.
"The Act was formulated after serious deliberations in 1989 and if there are genuine amendments or suggestions, it will be taken into consideration," he said.
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He said he had always backed demand of reservations for Marathas.
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