Summary:
LUCKNOW: Even as Centre is gearing up to table a bill to nullify the Supreme Court’s March 20 order that diluted provisions of the SC/ST Act, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to set up special courts to hear cases of atrocities against Dalits in 25 districts. Some BJP leaders stayed and dined with Dalit families. The party had earlier embarked on ‘Gram Swaraj Abhiyan’ under which ministers and senior party functionaries went to rural areas and interacted with people. Similarly, Gonda and Bahraich in east UP may get dedicated courts for hearing Dalit atrocities cases, sources said.The development also comes days after some BJP MPs and MLAs slammed their own party after cases of Dalit atrocities occurred following the dilution of SC/ST Act.Sources said that BJP has asked its functionaries to launch a campaign to counter the apparent resurgence of BSP in the state. The move comes amid Dalit and Adivasi outfits threatening a nationwide bandh on Augsust 9, demanding release of all Dalit activists, including Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar, lodged in UP jails.UP law minister Brijesh Pathak said that the high court will identify the districts where most cases pertaining to Dalit atrocities have been reported.“The law department has given its in principle approval to set up 25 such courts,” said Pathak while speaking to TOI on Friday.Pathak said that the act dilution issue was being deliberately fanned by opposition to instil fear among Dalits for electoral gains.Sources said that west UP districts like Bijnor, Meerut , Agra, Saharanpur are likely to be chosen for setting up of these courts..