Introduce bill to strengthen SC/ST Act immediately, says opposition
Rajnath Singh told the LS the govt want to pass the bill in the current session
Rajnath Singh told the LS the govt want to pass the bill in the current session
Rajnath Singh told the LS the govt want to pass the bill in the current session
Rajnath Singh told the LS the govt want to pass the bill in the current session
The Congress, the Trinamool Congress and the TDP on Thursday staged protests in the Lok Sabha demanding immediate introduction of a bill to strengthen the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and protection of Bengalis in Assam following the publication of the draft National Register of Citizens (NRC) that excluded 40 lakh people.
As soon as the House took up the day's business on Thursday, opposition members trooped into the well and sought suspension of the Question Hour to discuss the issues. Responding to the opposition's demands, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, “The government has already approved the bill [for amending SC/ST Act] yesterday [Wednesday]. We want to pass it in this session of Parliament.”
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said protection of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes was very important and the SC/ST Act must be strengthened.
Kharge claimed that 25 per cent of the population has become vulnerable to atrocities following the March 20 Supreme Court order related to the SC/ST Act and demanded immediate introduction of an amendment bill to strengthen the law.
He also alleged that the government had failed to bring an ordinance soon after the Supreme Court order.
The Union Cabinet had on Wednesday given its nod to a bill to restore original provisions of the SC/ST Act on atrocities against dalits and tribals.
Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy alleged that people from the Bengali community were being harassed in Assam following the publication of the draft NRC and sought their protection.
TDP members, who too came to the well of the House, raised the demand of special status for Andhra Pradesh.
As Speaker Sumitra Mahajan refused to suspend the Question Hour and continued with the proceedings, the opposition members started shouting anti-government slogans.
After a few minutes, the speaker requested the protesting MPs to go to their respective seats, saying she would allow all parties to speak during Zero Hour.
"I told you that I will allow you to speak after the Question Hour. I have not said no to you," she said.
After getting an assurance from the speaker, the MPs returned to their seats.