Congress to launch attack on government over Dalit atrocities

NEW DELHI: The Congress is set to step up its attack against the government over the issue of atrocities against the Dalit community, with a massive campaign in the works to expose the attitude of the BJP led regime to the marginalised sections of society.

A mass contact programme, alerting cadre to watch against discriminatory vigilantism, a national convention to draft a ‘Rohith Act’ and seminars with intellectuals on the Dalit issue will be part of the campaign.

The plan is to launch a major mass contact programme steered by the party leadership to generate awareness across rural and urban segments. Congress cadre across states will be mobilised as part of this campaign, so that they can step into action immediately, in case any crime against Dalits or discriminatory act against Dalits is reported.

National level consultations will also soon be held to draft a model ‘Rohith Act’ on the lines of the Nirbhaya Act to check against discrimination of students from marginalised sections of the society.

A national Joint Action Committee for Social Justice-set up after a Dalit student Rohith Vemula committed suicide at the Hyderabad Central University- has also been demanding the promulgation of a Rohith Act.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi also while expressing solidarity with Rohith Vemula’s family had advocated a law to deter forces of discrimination and suppression on campus.