The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) expresses concern about the judgement delivered by the Supreme Court that has diluted the provisions of the Prevention of Atrocities (SC/ST) Act.

The judgement delivered by a bench of Justice U.U. Lalit and Adarsh Goel ignored the social reality of caste oppression, harassment and atrocities perpetrated on Dalits on a daily basis. It has made the arrest and prosecution of those accused under the Act almost impossible by removing the restrictions on granting anticipatory bail and imposing a condition that a public servant can be prosecuted only after obtaining permission from the higher authorities.

It is unfortunate that the central government counsel did not respond properly and raise objections against the dilution of the provisions of the Act. Unless immediate remedial measures are taken by the Central Government to undo the damage done by the judgement, the forces inimical to social equality and justice will be further emboldened to perpetrate violence against Dalits.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) urges the central government to immediately move a review petition against the retrograde judgment of the Supreme Court bench.