Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and withdraw the cases against Dalit and Adivasi youth in April 2018 during the nationwide protests against dilution of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
In his letter to Modi, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha said that 14 Dalit youth died on April 2, 2018.
“I am writing to request withdrawal of the cases filed against Dalit and Adivasi youth on April 2, 2018, during the nationwide protests against dilution of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act,” Gandhi wrote to Modi.
The protests were sparked by a court ruling that weakened the Scheduled Castes/STs Act, a law that had enabled millions of Dalits and Adivasis to seek justice and protection from systemic discrimination and violence.
“This law was born out of a sustained grassroots movement to eliminate impunity enjoyed by perpetrators. It gave the victims courage to come forward and seek justice. The April 2 protests also reflected increasing instances of violence and discrimination against Dalits and Adivasis. The young protesters were exercising their constitutional right to demand justice, equality and dignity,” Gandhi said.
“Following the protests, many innocent young people have been arrested. They continue to face criminal charges. Many of them are first-generation learners, and the pending cases have negatively impacted their education, job opportunities and future,” he said in his letter dated April 1.
Parliament then passed the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2018, restoring the force of the law and reaffirming the legitimate cause for which these youth mobilized, the former Congress president said, noting that the Supreme Court had also upheld the amendment in 2020.
“In this context, I urge the Government of India to take a sympathetic and fair view of the matter and review all cases registered against SC and ST youth in connection with the April 2, 2018 protests. 2. Withdraw or quash all cases. And 3. Ensure that innocent youth are freed from the burden of lengthy legal proceedings,” Gandhi said.
“As a nation committed to constitutional values, social justice and equality, we have a collective responsibility to ensure that those who have historically faced injustice are not burdened further. Providing relief to these young citizens will reaffirm our shared commitment to constitutional values, social justice and the dignity of every Indian,” he said.
“I urge you to resolve this personally important issue with sensitivity and urgency,” Gandhi said.
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“Passing a strong law on SC/ST is their right, and peaceful protest is their right. Today, we have asked the Prime Minister to withdraw all these issues from a sensitive and fair perspective,” he said.
