New Delhi

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling on the Centre to withdraw criminal cases filed against Dalit and Adivasi youth following the nationwide protests on April 2, 2018.

In his letter, Gandhi said the protests were sparked by a Supreme Court judgment that, in his view, diluted provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. He noted that the demonstrations also reflected broader concerns over ongoing discrimination and violence faced by marginalised communities.

Referring to the events of that day, Gandhi highlighted that several lives were lost during the protests and described the participants as individuals asserting their constitutional rights to equality, justice, and dignity.

He further pointed out that many of those arrested in the aftermath continue to face legal proceedings. According to him, a significant number of these individuals are first-generation learners, and the pending cases have had long-term consequences on their education, employment prospects, and overall futures.

The protests in 2018, widely observed as a “Bharat Bandh,” followed a Supreme Court ruling that introduced safeguards against immediate arrests under the SC/ST Act. The decision triggered widespread demonstrations by Dalit and Ambedkarite groups across the country, some of which turned violent.

Subsequently, Parliament amended the law to restore its original provisions, effectively overturning the impact of the court’s ruling. The Supreme Court later upheld the validity of the stricter framework, acknowledging the continuing realities of caste-based discrimination.

In his appeal, Gandhi urged the government to take steps to withdraw or quash cases against those he described as innocent youth, arguing that prolonged legal action has placed an unfair burden on them.

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He emphasised that addressing the issue would demonstrate a commitment to constitutional principles and social justice, particularly for communities that have historically faced systemic marginalisation.