SC/ST forum wants PM Narendra Modi’s immediate intervention

NEW DELHI: The forum of SC/ST Parliamentarians met on Wednesday to condemn the recent incidents of violence against Dalits and decided to send a delegation to the PM to express its concern over the issue and request his immediate intervention to send out a message of deterrence. The MPs will ask the Centre to shoot off advisories to all states to act against all those involved in atrocities against Dalits.

Jesudasu Seelam, secretary general of the Forum, told ET that members from across parties expressed solidarity with Dalits. “It was decided at the meeting that a letter should be written to the PM on the recent incidents. We will request him to intervene directly, direct the government to send advisories on dealing swiftly with such injustice and to condemn it unequivocally.

Since the Forum had also written to the PM earlier this year listing out the pending legislative actions, we want to find out progress on these,” Seelam told ET.

The Forum will hold another meeting on August 11 before the session draws to a close. Not more than 30-35 MPs attended the meet citing parliamentary business related to the passage of GST bill and other issues.

Seelam said MPs from BJP, Congress and BJD were there for the meeting. It is learnt that some members expressed dissatisfaction with some of the government statements on the recent Gujarat incident.