Lok Sabha to debate Dalit atrocities on Thursday

NEW DELHI: The government on Tuesday said the issue of atrocities against Dalits will be taken up by the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

A decision to this effect was taken by the Business Advisory Committee of the House, which also decided to have a debate on the flood situation in the country on Friday, the last day of the session.

“The issue of Dalit atrocities will be taken up on Thursday. There is no hesitation from government to discuss this issue,” parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar told reporters here. Earlier, a demand of the Opposition for a debate on the Dalit atrocity issue was rejected by the government at a previous meeting of the panel.

The government, sources said, is now more comfortable in holding the discussion after PM Modi hit out at those indulging in violence in the name of cow protection. The Congress MPs on Tuesday staged a dharna near the Gandhi statue outside Parliament House to register their protest against the attacks on Dalits.