Thirumavalavan slams dilution of SC/ST Act

On March 20, the top court had banned automatic arrests and registration of criminal cases under the Act. It was widely condemned by Dalit organisations and parties across the country.  On Saturday, while addressing the media, Thirumavalavan said, “The SC/ST Act is the only available remedy for deprived classes and already only very few cases are filed under it. Under the circumstance when restrictions are laid, no case will be filed and the accused will not have the fear of getting punished.” 

Thirumavalavan also pointed out that FIR can only be registered after preliminary investigation is carried out and an official in the rank of District SP should approve the filing of the case. 

He said that under Section 4 of the Act, government officials who abuse Dalits can be booked, but the Court has now directed that cases against them can only be filed after obtaining permission from higher officials. “So far, not a single case was registered under Section 4 of SC/ST (Amendment) Act of 2015,” said Thirumavalavan, sitting alongside Henry Tiphagne, executive director of People’s Watch, a Madurai based NGO.