Dalit protestors clash with police in Faridabad, around 55 kilometers from Delhi, India, April 2, 2018. At least six people died and six others were injured in clashes with police Monday as India's Dalits protested against the Supreme Court's alleged dilution of a law ensuring the community's protection. (Xinhua/Stringer)
NEW DELHI, April 2 (Xinhua) -- At least six people died and six others injured in clashes with police Monday as India's Dalits protested against the Supreme Court's alleged dilution of a law ensuring the community's protection.
Dalits, considered the lowest rung of India's caste hierarchy, are angry over the top court's recent order banning automatic arrests and registration of criminal cases under a law that is meant for protection of the marginalised communities from abuse and discrimination.
Police said that a student leader and four others died while six people were injured during clashes in the central state of Madhya Pradesh, while another person died in police firing in the western state of Rajasthan.
"The deaths in Madhya Pradesh were a result of violent clashes between Dalit protesters and police who were compelled to open fire to bring the situation under control. Those injured have been admitted to local hospitals," a police official said.
"Similarly, in Rajasthan, one person was killed in police firing. The situation went out of control and cops had to resort to firing," another police official said.
Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan were among the five Indian states -- others being Punjab, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh -- that bore the brunt of violence as Dalit protesters damaged public and private properties, and set afire several vehicles to vent out their anger.
In the northern state of Punjab, home to a large number of Dalits, schools, colleges and offices remained shut and the Indian Army was also kept on stand-by. Several of Punjab's cities witnessed widespread violence, particularly capital Chandigarh.
Local media showed footage of burning vehicles and protesters stopping trains in various other states also, including Bihar and Odisha, by blocking the railway tracks.
The Indian government has, meanwhile, appealed for calmness and said that a review petition has been filed in the Supreme Court against its earlier order. "We have filed a review petition," Indian Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told the media.
Discrimination on the basis of caste is outlawed in India but remains widespread across the country. And there has been several instances where Dalits have been made the targets by the so-called upper caste people.
