LIVE Updates: At least nine persons were killed and hundreds injured today in violence across several states as protesters blocked trains, clashed with police and set fire to private and public properties, including police posts, during a nationwide bandh called by Dalit groups. Thousands were detained following widespread incidents of arson, firing and vandalism across over ten states, several of them being BJP-ruled including Madhya Pradesh where at least six persons died during the protests against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Two persons died in Uttar Pradesh and one in Rajasthan, according to officials there. Other states hit with violence included Punjab, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra and Delhi. Those arrested included a former BSP MLA in UP. Curfew was imposed in several places, while the Union Home Ministry, which rushed 800 anti-riot policemen to MP and UP, asked all states to take preventive steps and maintain public order to ensure safety of lives and property. The Army and paramilitary forces were also put on standby in Punjab. In Punjab's Firozpur, protesters openly brandished swords during the protests, while cars in UP were set ablaze. The agitation also reached the capital as angry Dalits blocked roads in Connaught Place. A few protesters were detained by Delhi police. Dalits have come out in heavy number across the country to protest against the dilution of the SC/ST Act by the Supreme Court. In the face of stiff pressure from both within the NDA and opposition, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has said that the government does not agree with the Supreme Court's decision and has filed a strong, comprehensive review petition against the apex court's order.



Stay tuned as Sanchari Chatterjee brings you the latest updates:

Apr 2, 2018 11:59 pm (IST) Alleging that Dalit atrocities have peaked in the country ever since BJP came to power in 2014 Congress’ Priyanka Chaturvedi on Monday said that the Centre had deliberately avoided dialogue with the aggrieved Dalits after the Supreme Court pronounced its verdict on SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and it swung into action only after the agitation intensified and pressure was exerted on it.

Apr 2, 2018 11:56 pm (IST) MADHYA PRADESH | Curfew was imposed in some areas of Gwalior as well as in cities of Bhind and Morena districts in view of the violence witnessed during the bandh. Internet services have been suspended in the entire Chambal and Gwalior regions, besides the Sagar region which also saw protests. Six people were killed and several others injured in Madhya Pradesh on Monday.

Apr 2, 2018 11:04 pm (IST) DEATH TOLL 9 | Another person died in Uttar Pradesh during the violence that rocked the 'Bharat Bandh' on Monday. This takes the total death toll up to nine across three states. Six have died in Madhya Pradesh, one in Rajasthan and two persons in Uttar Pradesh.

Apr 2, 2018 11:02 pm (IST) COMPENSATION | Madhya Pradesh government announces Rs 4 lakh compensation to the kin of those killed in today’s violence.

Apr 2, 2018 10:55 pm (IST) AIRLINES WAIVE CHARGES | Jet Airways and Vistara today announced waiving cancellation and charges for change of dates for those passengers booked for flights operating to and out of airports in places affected due to Dalit protests. "Due to unrest in Chandigarh, Patna and Amritsar, we are waiving off penalties for date/ flight change, refund, no-show & fare difference (if any) on all confirmed tickets for flights to/out of these cities for travel on April 2," Jet Airways said in a tweet.

Apr 2, 2018 10:06 pm (IST) Smoke billows out of burning cars during the 'Bharat Bandh' in Muzzaffarnagar on Monday. (PTI Photo)

Apr 2, 2018 10:02 pm (IST) JIGNESH MEVANI | Dalit leader and independent MLA Jignesh Mevani joined the protests in Ahmedabad and said the apex court verdict was against the Constitution. "The case before the SC was related to a single person charged under the Atrocities Act, who pleaded that he was not guilty. The petitioner did not ask for any revision of the entire SC/ST Act. "But, the apex court gave a verdict as if it is over and above Parliament or the Constitution," Mevani told reporters.

Apr 2, 2018 9:59 pm (IST) BJP ATTACKS CONGRESS | The BJP today underlined the government's measures for the development of Dalits and dubbed Rahul Gandhi a "political vulture" out to seek "advantage" after the Congress chief blamed the ruling party for the community's plight. Union minister Thawarchand Gehlot and Arjun Ram Meghwal, both Dalits, sought to turn tables on the Congress over its treatment of B R Ambedkar, an icon of the Scheduled Castes. Their attack on Congress chief Rahul Gandhi came following his remarks that it was in the DNA of the RSS and BJP to keep Dalits at the lowest level in the Indian society.

Apr 2, 2018 9:57 pm (IST) The Congress and the Left parties today blamed the Centre for the violence during protests by Dalit bodies against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST Act and accused it of not representing the case properly in the Supreme Court. Congress President Rahul Gandhi slammed the RSS and the BJP for the plight of Dalits.

Apr 2, 2018 9:56 pm (IST) TRAINS DISRUPTED | Over 100 passenger and mail train services were today affected, nine were cancelled and a few more short-terminated. As the protesters squatted on the tracks, hurled stones at the trains and wreaked havoc on the platforms, the railways cancelled the Amritsar-Jaynagar Saryu Yamuna Express, New Delhi-Amritsar Shatabdi Express, Jaipur-Chandigarh Intercity Express, Ajmer-New Delhi Shatabdi Express and the Sealdah-Varanasi Express, scheduled to have run today.

Apr 2, 2018 9:54 pm (IST) UTTAR PRADESH | One person was killed, over 70 others, including many policemen, injured while 448 people were arrested in Uttar Pradesh during the Dalit protests on Monday. Several towns in western UP saw violence and in Meerut, a former BSP MLA Yogesh Verma, was among those arrested, police said. There were several incidents of violence in Meerut, including the torching of a police post while in the neighbouring Muzaffarnagar, a man was killed and several vehicles were damaged, they added.

Apr 2, 2018 9:47 pm (IST) PUNJAB | Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today directed the security forces to stay on alert in view of the "volatile situation" prevailing in some of the neighbouring states during Bharat Bandh called by various SC/ST organisations. Singh urged the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes community to wait for the Supreme Court's decision on the review petition filed by the Centre and assured them of all possible efforts to address their grievances, both legally and administratively.

Apr 2, 2018 8:59 pm (IST) The Centre rushed 1,700 security personnel to the violence-hit states in north India. (Image: News18)

Apr 2, 2018 8:56 pm (IST) Bihar: Reports from Patna said that more than 3,000 people were held by the police across Bihar for disruption of public order during the bandh.

Apr 2, 2018 8:55 pm (IST) East India: Rail and road traffic got disrupted and properties vandalised across Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha today as violence erupted during protests by Dalit and tribal organisations. Police arrested thousands of agitators in Bihar and Jharkhand during the day-long bandh.

Apr 2, 2018 8:46 pm (IST) The CPI(M) in a statement said the response to the call for a 'Bharat Bandh' by various Dalit organisations had been widespread in states like Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh. "This shows the anger against the Supreme Court's decision to dilute the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act", it said.

Apr 2, 2018 8:45 pm (IST) 1700 PERSONNEL RUSHED IN | The Centre today rushed 1,700 anti-riot police personnel to Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Punjab after violence erupted in the four states during a nationwide bandh called by Dalit outfits.

Apr 2, 2018 8:43 pm (IST) Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar today said the Supreme Court and the Centre were responsible for today's violence in various states during the nationwide bandh called by Dalit outfits.

Apr 2, 2018 8:43 pm (IST) The Supreme Court declined urgent hearing on a writ petition filed by All India Federation of SC/ST Organisations against the verdict claiming that the entire nation has witnessed large-scale violence during today's 'Bharat Bandh'. The court said the plea would be listed and heard in due course.

Apr 2, 2018 8:42 pm (IST) CENTRE ON SC/ST ACT | As Dalit protests turned violent, the Centre today moved the Supreme Court seeking a review of its recent verdict on scheduled castes and tribes, saying it has led to "dilution" of some stringent provisions of law to prevent atrocities against them. Separately, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the government "differs" with the reasoning given by the apex court judgment "virtually redoing the entire architecture of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act".

Apr 2, 2018 8:36 pm (IST) Former Union minister Sharad Yadav today termed the Centre's review plea in the Supreme Court against its ruling on a law on atrocities against Dalits an "eyewash" and demanded that the government should rather bring an ordinance. "The conviction rate under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was anyway significantly lower than the national conviction rate for other crimes. Therefore, the government should bring an ordinance as an immediate relief," he said in a statement. "The review plea is nothing but an eyewash," Yadav added.

Apr 2, 2018 7:59 pm (IST) Siddaramaiah's tweets on Bharat Bandh: How then can we expect the BJP to work against dilution of SC/ST Atrocities Act? #BharatBandh — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) April 2, 2018

Apr 2, 2018 7:58 pm (IST) Siddaramaiah: They beat up poor Dalits for handling dead cattle, attack Dalits for celebrating at Bhima Koregaon memorial & their Ministers call Dalit activists protesting against attempts to change the Constitution as Dogs.

Apr 2, 2018 7:58 pm (IST) In a series of tweets, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah criticised the Centre for not doing enough to prevent the alleged dilution of the SC/ST Act. He said, "The BJP led NDA Govt has not taken steps to prevent the dilution of the SC/ST Atrocities Act. The BJP does not care for the Dalits. They try to appease them with Jumlas & at the same time deploy Ministers like Anant Kumar Hegde to say they are here to change the Constitution."

Apr 2, 2018 7:47 pm (IST) Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, says, “Some people are trying to disturb peace in Madhya Pradesh. We will take strict action against them. I appeal for peace. The government will take all measures to maintain peace.” A total of six people died in Madhya Pradesh as Dalit protests turned violent during Monday’s Bharat Bandh.

Apr 2, 2018 7:11 pm (IST) DEATH TOLL 8 | Death toll in Madhya Pradesh goes up to six while the total count across states now stands at 8. One person has died each in Rajasthan’s Alwar and Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar.</s>India on Monday witnessed widespread violent protests after Dalits displayed their agitation at the dilution of provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989. Reports said 4 people have been killed in separate instances. Public property including buses were vandalised in several states. A number of Dalit organisations had called for a nationwide strike (Bharat Bandh). Meanwhile, the situation in Punjab is tense as all business establishments and institutions are shut today. As a precautionary measure, the Punjab government has appointed the Army and paramilitary forces to remain on ‘stand-by.’

The SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989 was enacted to prevent atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. More commonly known as POA, the Prevention of Atrocities Act, or simply the Atrocities Act, under this act any casteist insult will deny the accused anticipatory bail. In an attempt to make the act more accountable, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act 2015 was brought in to treat tonsuring of head, moustache and other derogatory behaviours against SCs and STs as atrocities. Even after bringing all these acts under the Act’s purview, the situation in the country has not improved and SC/ST people are denied many civil rights. At many places, they are not treated equally and undergo humiliation and harassment. Therefore in a situation like this, a law or legislation safeguarding civil rights of SC/ST and to check and deter crimes against these communities by non-SC groups was important to be initiated in the Constitution.

Changes suggested by Supreme Court on SC/ST Act

Making changes in the SC/ST Act which ensures action against those committing atrocities against SC/ST people, the Supreme Court in its directive on March 20 mentioned that any coercive action against public servants, accused of hostility towards the lower caste will only be possible after written permission from their appointing authority. While in the case of action needed to be taken against private citizens, it will only happen after the Senior Superintendent of Police looking into the case allows it.

Also Read: Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989‬, LIVE Updates: Protest near Huda City Centre in Gurugram; 4 people killed in Madhya Pradesh

The SC judgement said innocent citizens are termed accused which is not intended by the law. The law never intended to use the Atrocities Act as an instrument to blackmail or wreak personal vengeance. The top court further said false cases have been filed to spread caste hatred and ”perpetuate casteism”. “It is necessary to express concern that working of the Atrocities Act should not result in perpetuating casteism which can have an adverse impact on the integration of society and constitutional values,” the Supreme Court bench said.</s>NEW DELHI: Eight people were killed on Monday in protests by members belonging to the Dalit community against a Supreme Court ruling, which allegedly "diluted" the SC/ST Act.Reports of protests emerged from several cities of the country against the SC’s ruling. In Madhya Pradesh, people blocked road and rail network and set fire to some public property. In the resulting violence, five people lost their lives. Widespread protests were also reported from the states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat.Here are the reactions of various political leaders and ministers on the ongoing protests:We have filed the review petition in Supreme Court. I appeal to all political parties and groups to maintain peace and not incite violence".“To keep the Dalits at the lowest level of the Indian society is in the DNA of BJP/RSS. Whosoever tries to raise his voice is violently suppressed. Thousands of Dalit brothers and sisters have taken to the streets against the Modi government demanding the protection of their rights. We salute them,” he tweeted in Hindi.“I support the protest against the SC/ST Act. I have got to know that some people spread violence during the protests, I strongly condemn it. Our party is not behind the violence during the protests,” she said."We are shocked and pained that some of my Dalit brothers and sisters have been killed and injured. We support their cause. I appeal for peace," Banerjee said."Under the situation resulting due to Supreme Court's decision on SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, AAP is with the movement of SC/ST community. Central government should deploy top lawyers for the petition in the Supreme Court and the need and fundamental intent of the Act should be preserved."“We condemn the police firing. Such a situation has arisen because of the failure of the Modi government to present an effective case against the dilution of the Prevention of Atrocities Act,” he said in a tweet."Rahul Gandhi has no moral right to speak about the issues of Dalits. He should first answer why his party did this to Ambedkar... The Congress only abused him and encouraged others to abuse him," he said.“One can understand if people protest, but why is opposition playing politics? Parties like Congress who did not give Bharat Ratna to BR Ambedkar are now acting like his followers,” he added.</s>Case registered against BJP worker for firing during the violent SC/ST protests

A case has been registered against a BJP worker Raja Chauhan for firing in between the violent protests happening in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior against dilution of the Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe Act.

Chauhan was allegedly captured in camera for firing at the people during the protest . The death toll in Madhya Pradesh due to violent protests during the nationwide bandh called by several Dalit organisations against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act has reached seven after one more person succumbed to its injuries.

Protests across the country turned violent on Monday after protesters resorted to stone pelting, damaging public properties and rail and various other blockades. Violent protests were reported from various states, including Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Gujarat, and Punjab.</s>Nine people were killed in clashes on Monday as Dalit groups – angered over an alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act – carried out protests across several northern states, even as the Centre moved the Supreme Court seeking a review of its recent judgment in the matter. (Bharat bandh live updates)

Clashes with the police, attacks on buses and government property, and blockades of trains and roads were reported across states including Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab and Bihar.

The maximum deaths were reported in Madhya Pradesh, with the police saying three people were killed in Gwalior, two in Bhind and one in Morena. Curfew was imposed in many parts of the state and internet services were withdrawn to prevent rumours. The home ministry said central forces were sent to Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab to control the protesters.

The protests also claimed two lives in Uttar Pradesh -- one in Muzaffarnagar and another in Meerut. One person was killed in Rajasthan’s Alwar as the police

Read | Bharat Bandh: What happened where during Dalit protests

opened fire to disperse a mob, according to officials.

At most of the places, the protesters were seen carrying blue flags bearing the name of Bhim Sena.

The protests continued in several places even after home minister Rajnath Singh said the Centre had filed a review petition in the Supreme Court against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST Act. “The government is appealing against the court order but it is a responsibility of everyone including all political parties to ensure peace,” Singh said in Delhi, where the Dalit protests caused traffic chaos.

Protesters squatted on tracks in several places outside Delhi, stopping trains including the Dehradun Express and the Ranchi Rajdhani. They also gathered at Mandi House blocked the road outside the metro station, bringing traffic to a halt in adjoining central areas. Protests and traffic snarls were also reported in Noida, Faridabad and Gurgaon

Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the government was not a party to the SC decision on the SC/ST Act and, “with due respect, does not agree with the reasoning given by the apex court”.

“On behalf of the Ministry of Social Justice, a very comprehensive review has been filed (against the dilution of the SC/ST Act),” he said.

Prasad said the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Centre were committed to the welfare of SCs and STs and alleged that political parties, including the Congress, were using the issue for political gains – a charge denied by the Opposition.

The Supreme Court had on March 20 allegedly diluted the provisions of the SC/ST Act, ruling that government servants should not be arrested without prior sanction and private citizens, too, be arrested only after an inquiry under the law.

On Monday, law ministry officials said the government should have been a party in the case, questioning the SC’s move to read down the law.

Dalits make up 200 million of the country’s 1.3 billion population and are at the bottom of the caste hierarchy. They are angry at the Supreme Court’s ruling that bans the automatic arrest of the accused in cases under the SC/SC Act, a 1989 legislation meant to guard marginalised groups against discrimination and harassment.

Shortly after the protests broke out on Monday, the Congress alleged that incidents of Dalits atrocities had increased in the country since the National Democratic Alliance came to power in 2014.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi attacked the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata Party for the plight of Dalits, saying he saluted the “brothers and sisters” from the community who were agitating to demand the protection of their rights. Responding to Gandhi’s remarks, Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan said he had no moral right to attack the BJP over Dalit issues, as his party did “nothing” for the community or its icon BR Ambedkar.

Communication and transport services were severely hit across states, with over 100 trains getting affected due to the protests. Trains including the Saptakranti Express, Utkal Express, Gatiman Express, the Bhubaneswar and Ranchi Rajdhanis and the Kanpur Shatabdi were stopped ahead of Ghaziabad, a Northern Railway official said. In the Agra Division, around 28 trains were delayed, including the Shatabdi Express.

The protests spread across Uttar Pradesh, where a police post near Meerut was set on fire by protesters. Public buses were also torched in the state’s Azamgarh district.

Punjab and Haryana also saw widespread protests. Hundreds of protesters carrying swords and sticks forced shopkeepers in Jalandhar, Amritsar and Bathinda to shut down.

In Bihar, activists disrupted rail and road traffic. Mobs shut down markets and shops as well as educational institutions, police said.

The widespread agitation came after Dalit organisations, including the the Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch, and some political parties said they feared the move would lead to an increase in violence against Dalits.</s>The Supreme Court will later in the day hear a review petition filed on the matter by the government.

Dalit organisations across the country have called a 'Bharat Bandh' today to protest a recent Supreme Court ruling over SC/ST Act. (Photo: ANI/Twitter)

New Delhi: Dalit organisations across the country have called a 'Bharat Bandh' today to protest a recent Supreme Court ruling diluting the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989.

Following the bandh call, Punjab government has ordered suspension of public transport services across the state.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has also postponed the Class 10 and 12 board examinations in the state today.

Punjab, which has the highest number of Dalit population, is on high alert.

Internet services in the state have been clamped down since 5 pm on Sunday and will remain suspended till 11 pm today.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has appealed for calm and has requested the Army and paramilitary forces to be on stand-by.

The Bharat Bandh has already affected states of Bihar and Odisha, where protesters have blocked railway tracks.

The Supreme Court, meanwhile, will later in the day hear a review petition filed on the matter by the government, challenging its order banning automatic arrest and registration of cases for alleged harassment of SCs and STs.

The Centre is likely to tell the apex court that dilution of the Act will render it ineffective and prevent the dispensing of justice to the marginalised Dalit and tribal communities.

On March 20, the apex court had introduced the provision of anticipatory bail in the Act while directing that there would be no automatic arrest on any complaint filed under the law.

The court held that there is a need to provide for safeguards against registration of FIRs and arrests under the SC/ST Act in view of instances of misuse, as observed in the last three decades.

Also read: Top court on SC/ST Act: Accused arrest not a must

Meanwhile, Union Social Justice Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot had on Friday appealed to organisations and individuals opposing the Supreme Court's verdict on the SC/ST Act to withdraw their protests in the wake of the government's decision to file a review petition challenging the order.

Here are live updates from 'Bharat Bandh' protest:

10:15 am: Visuals of protest from Rajasthan's Bharatpur

10:00 am: The protests are spreading to other cities. Visuals of protest from Agra.

09:25 am: Protesters stop train at Forbesganj Junction in Bihar

09:03 am: Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "Of course, a review petition of (SC/ST protection act) should be filed and it’s the right of the Government, it’s a legal procedure. The basic question is to why they were unable to present the case properly before SC and lost, inquiry is needed."

08: 52 am: Different groups, including CPI-ML activists, protest in Bihar's Arrah, block a train

07:48 am: Heavy security deployed in Amritsar, Punjab. According to estimates, the state has 32 percent SC/ST people and is becoming the epicentre of protest

06:52 am: Movement of train in Odisha's Sambalpur blocked by protesters</s>Dalits in India have organised mass protests against a Supreme Court ruling, which activists say will likely dilute a stringent law that was enacted to check atocities against the former untouchables.

According to local media reports, at least four people have been killed in the central state of Madhya Pradesh as protest against the top court's verdict on Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, turned violent.

Thouands of people have joined mostly peaceful protests and sit-ins as part of the Bharat Bandh, or all-India strike, demanding the government to challenge the top court's verdict that banned arrest and registration of cases for alleged harassment of SCs and STs.

Under the Act, passed by the government of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1989, the accused is denied bail.

"I tell the government that you have troubled the Dalit people and they have tolerated your harassment enough, but now you are messing with Ambedkar’s vision," Ram Singh Pradhan from Delhi’s Pahargunj said referring to the author of India’s constitution and a Dalit icon.

"I am 88 years old, and I am ready if anyone comes forward.… This country was built by Ambedkar, this is our country. Let anyone speak against Baba Saheb Ambedkar and see the consequences. Jai Bhim," Pradhan told Al Jazeera.

Rights activists and Dalit organisations say caste-based atrocities involve denigrating the dignity of Dalits - the former untouchables - and hence a special law is required.

Caste discrimination is outlawed but it remains widespread. A young Dalit farmer was beaten to death for owning a horse in western Gujarat state, police said on Saturday.

The body of 21-year-old Pradeep Rathod was found in a pool of blood near Timbi village late on Thursday. Police have arrested three upper caste men as part of the investigation.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, the rate of crimes against Dalits, who number more than 200 million, has risen in recent years.

Dalit organisations say the Supreme Court ruling was shocking even as the conviction rate for such crimes has declined over the years.

The opposition called the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi anti-Dalit. The leader of the main opposition Congress party, Rahul Gandhi, in a twitter post said that it was in the DNA of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), to keep Dalits at the lowest rung of the society.

Under huge political pressure, the government said it would seek review of the Supreme Court order.

"Review petition by the Government against the SC judgement on SC/ST Protection Act shall be filed positively on tomorrow, Monday, April 2," Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad tweeted.

The northern Punjab state, with sizable population of Dalits, suspended internet until 11pm on Monday and has requested the army to remain on standby, according to the Indian Express newspaper. Internet was also suspended in Rajasthan state.

Protests have also been organized in the states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Bihar and Jharkhand.

Meanwhile, the apex court on Monday refused for an urgent hearing on a plea for stay and review of its verdict.

Al Jazeera's Nilanjan Chowdhury went to Jantar Mantar in the capital, New Delhi, where thousands of people gathered to register their protest. He spoke to some of the protesters:

The Dalit community in India are huge in number, they are like the elephant but look like the ant. Why are they like a minority? Because this country works by the laws of the Hindu religion. This is like an illness.

In a democracy the people, who are weak, are protected by the law. The courts work for them. But it’s not like that in India and not happening now. So the government should take a note of this.

We have come to protest against the Modi government, which has changed the SC/ST Act. We used to get hassled by the upper caste people in our village, the police would not register an FIR (First Information Report), those days will return once again.

The Jats and the Gujjars in our village taunt us and call me names saying I am a Chamar, a derogatory terms used for Dalits. They threaten to beat me. This Act was made to protect me from these situations.

The upper caste boys don't allow me to take water, they call me names and don't let me use the village pump. It is now four or five days that this is happening. I have come to protest against this and hope things will change.</s>Violent protests were witnessed across several states after several Dalit organisations called for a Bharat Bandh on Monday in the wake of the dilution of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989. At least 8-9 people lost their lives as protests continued to grip parts of northern states while more than 250 people were detained amid protests. Among states which witnessed violence on Monday included Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab and others. In Punjab, educational institutions were kept shut while school exams were postponed keeping the security of students in the view.

The Punjab government appointed the Army and paramilitary forces to remain on ‘stand-by’ while internet services in the state have already been suspended from Sunday and will continue on till 11PM tonight (April 2). Reports said the Public transport services will remain temporarily suspended in the State. In Uttar Pradesh, Muzaffarnagar city also witnessed vandalism by angry protesters as they ransacked public property including banks, ATMs, vehicles which were set ablaze.

Also Read: Exclusive: What the Centre’s review petition on SC/ST Act order says

Among those who lost their lives in the nation-wide protests, at least 2 protesters died in Gwalior, 1 in Bhind and 1 in Morena in Madhya Pradesh and 1 in Rajasthan and 2 in Uttar Pradesh. Several police officials also injured during Bharat Bandh over SC/ST protection act. Speaking on the issue, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan said, “few unfortunate incidents took place today. Strict action will be taken against those responsible. I appeal to everyone to maintain peace and harmony, and not pay attention to rumours. It is government’s responsibility to ensure safety and security of all sections of the society.”

Meanwhile, the Central government on Monday filed a petition points seeking review of Supreme Court’s recent judgment diluting the mandatory arrest provision under SC/ST (Prevention of) Atrocities Act. The Centre has sought restoration of earlier status by which any offense under the SC/ST Act was made a cognizable non-bailable offence. Centre said that it is necessary for the court to hear Centre’s oral arguments.

Also Read: Explainer: Why the protests over SC/ST Act? What did the Supreme Court do to it?</s>New Delhi: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, while speaking in Lok Sabha, said that the Modi government has made no change in the SC/ST Act. He said, "Modi government is committed to upholding the SC\ST Act".

Meanwhile, slogans of "We want justice" were raised in Lok Sabha as Rajanth Singh made a statement regarding the incidents of violence during protests on SC/ST Act issue.

Rajnath said the government promptly acted on it and within six working days, the government has taken legal opinion.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed for an open court hearing on the Centre's review petition over judgment, saying that the hearing will take place at 1.30 pm on Tuesday. The move comes a day after the apex court said that the hearing of the review petition wasn't urgent. However, the apex court also announced that it would ask the AG to seek from the CJI the constitution of same bench which passed the SC/ST Act verdict.

As per SC rules, a review petition is decided by judges after it's circulated among those who give the order under review.

As per SC rules, a review petition is decided by judges after it's circulated among those who give the order under review.

Earlier, 10 people were killed - seven in Madhya Pradesh as Dalits groups carried out massive violent protests across northern states against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST Act.</s>NEW DLEHI: The Centre moved the Supreme Court on Monday seeking restoration of mandatory arrest for offences under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and an immediate review through open court hearing of the apex court's March 20 judgment that diluted the stringent provision. The order, and subsequent mobilisation, led to a nationwide agitation by Dalits and tribals.A writ petition filed by the All India Federation of SC/ST Organisations was mentioned by advocate Manoj Gorkela before a bench headed by CJI Dipak Misra for urgent hearing by a five-judge bench with regard to the controversy and the violent situation. The bench said since the Centre has also filed a petition seeking a review of the judgment, it would hear all pleas together in the coming days.The petition was filed days after PM Narendra Modi assured a delegation of Dalit MPs that a review would be sought. The government, under attack for not moving quickly on the issue, filed its plea and underlined its commitment to the protection of Scheduled Castes and Tribes under the law.In its review petition, the Centre said the SC bench of Justices A K Goel and U U Lalit had erred by taking into account the high number of acquittals in cases lodged under the act to arrive at a conclusion that the arrest provision of the law was being misused through frivolous complaints."The facts and data demonstrate weak implementation of the act. This could not lead to dilution of the statutory deterrent punishment to allow accused to get bail and terrorise Dalit and tribal victims and witnesses to deter them from proceeding with their complaints against accused," the Centre said in its petition drafted by advocate Nalin Kohli and settled by additional solicitor general Maninder Singh.It said, "Since offences of atrocities affect dignity and life of members of SC and ST community, an FIR needs to be registered immediately so that investigation commences fast without any room for the accused to seek anticipatory bail and that admissible relief due to be paid to the victim/dependent on registration of FIR is given timely." The Centre said it amended the act in 2016 to allow compensation ranging between Rs 85,000 and Rs 8.5 lakh to victims of atrocities.It complained that the Centre was not a formal party before the SC when it decided the case and returned the controversial verdict. Though the bench had sought assistance from the attorney general, it had eventually obtained the Centre's stand through arguments and written submissions by the ASG, who had repeatedly requested the court not to alter the stringent provisions of the act, enacted in 1989 and amended in 2016, to help accelerate social justice and equality to Dalits and tribals.The Centre said through the limited opportunity it got to present its stand, it had drawn the bench's attention to the SC's December 2016 judgment in the "National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights" case as also the reports by NHRC on atrocities against SCs, the National Commission for SC/STs, and the Justice K Punnaiah Commission to highlight the necessity of retaining the stringent arrest provision under the SC/ST Act
​Nine people have died amid violent protests involving tens of thousands of protesters from the SC/ST caste groups across India.