On Monday, the country has witnessed Dalit anger against the Supreme Court decision of softening the existing provision of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. This has erupted violence in several cities of India, leaving nine dead and several injured. They have destroyed public and private properties. In other words, normal life in these places got hugely disrupted.
As per reports, 9 people were killed in this violence; Six in Madhya Pradesh, two in Uttar Pradesh and one in Rajasthan. This sad incident has signalled the entire political class regarding the high level anger of Dalits. In just one year period, the nation is going to face general elections in 2019. This Bharat Bandh strike has hugely impacted MP and Rajasthan. These two states are also going to face state assembly elections in this year.
Yesterday’s agitation was having a huge coverage in many states of India. Yes, it was the largest Dalit protest in last few years. Certainly, there was a huge planning and long term coordination behind this protest. This agitation was against the order of Honorable Supreme Court.
Earlier, it was announced as a peaceful march and call for Bharat Bandh. However rampaging mobs have destructed public property, pelted trains with stones in this march and created chaos in many places across the country.  Common people became collateral victims as they started forcing shutdowns of shops. Several commercial establishments were damaged too.
BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh got the worst impact of this protest.  The local administration has failed to control the intensive violence in many districts like in Gwalior, Balaghat, Morena, Sagar, Bhind and Satna. Protesting mobs have even targeted police officials too. As per reports, protesters have even fired from their licensed revolvers. Dabra additional SP Rajesh Tripathi got injured in one such mob attack. Local administration was failed and called Army to handle the situation. All schools were shut down for next two days. Yesterday, several kids were ferried home in vehicles of police as protesting mob was also targeting school vehicles.
Considering the situation, the local administration has suspended Internet services in Gwalior-Chambal region. There are reports of imposing curfew in Morena too. One citizen was shot dead by protesters. The deceased was identified as Rahul Pathak. Also, three protestors were injured in police firing to control the mob.
In several places of Rajasthan also, protesting mob became out of control. Over 100 people including several policemen got injured during clashes between police and protestors. There is also news of the death of one person in such one clash.