Dalits in India have organised mass protests against a Supreme Court ruling, which activists say will likely dilute a stringent law that was enacted to address atrocities against the former untouchables.
According to local media reports, at least four people have been killed in the central state of Madhya Pradesh as protest against the top court's verdict on Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, turned violent.
Thousands of people have joined mostly peaceful protests and sit-ins as part of the Bharat Bandh, or all-India strike, demanding the government to challenge the top court's verdict last month, which barred the immediate arrest of those accused of violence against SCs and STs.
Under the act, passed by the government of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1989, the accused is denied bail.
"I tell the government that you have troubled the Dalit people and they have tolerated your harassment enough, but now you are messing with [BR] Ambedkar's vision," Ram Singh Pradhan from New Delhi's Paharganj said, referring to the author of India's constitution and a Dalit icon.
"I am 88 years old, and I am ready if anyone comes forward … This country was built by Ambedkar, this is our country. Let anyone speak against Baba Saheb Ambedkar and see the consequences. Jai Bhim,"
Shanti, a Dalit resident of Mahipalpur village, New Delhi
The upper caste boys don't allow me to take water, they call me names and don't let me use the village pump. It is now four or five days that this is happening. I have come to protest against this and hope things will change.
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