New Delhi, 03 April: The Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), Muhammad Salim  Engineer supported efforts to prevent any dilution in the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. In a statement to the media, the JIH Secretary General said: ‘’We are opposed in principle to anything that will affect the constitutional and legal protection given to the vulnerable sections of our society. There cannot be any compromise when it comes to protection of the downtrodden. Hence we feel that the recent Supreme Court directive would result in dilution of its provisions, reduce the fear of law and result in more violations against the oppressed castes and tribes, so it needs to be reviewed.”

Salim Engineer further added: ‘’It is very clear that violence against Dalits, Tribals, backward sections and minorities has increased substantially in the past few years. So anything which would impede the prosecution of those guilty of oppressing the Dalits cannot be viewed in favor of social justice. Changes in the SC/ST Act raise apprehensions of dilution of its provisions meant to protect the suppressed classes. We feel that, had the government of India reacted more promptly to the Supreme Court order and responded to the directive much before, it would have saved the loss of the lives and property.

Regarding the protests being organized in the country over this issue the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Secretary General said: ‘’We support those fighting for the legitimate rights of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes. We are saddened at the loss of lives during protests against the changes in SC/ST Act. We advocate peaceful protests and condemn any violence and destruction of public property.”

Issued by

Media Department

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind