Nagpur: Former Advocate General and Vidarbha protagonist Shrihari Aney on Saturday supported the agitation launched by Marathas for reservation but termed the demand for abolition of SC/ST Atrocities Act as “unfeasible.” “Instead, the demand should be for amendments in the Atrocities Act,” Aney stated.
“The reservation demand by Marathas is genuine for development of the community. But the Atrocities Act was enacted for protection of SC/ST communities and hence it should be maintained. Yes, suitable amendments can be made in the Act. If it is assumed that the Act is being “used” or “misused” for ‘recovery’ (settling scores) then it should not be for the same. Abolition of the Act is not the solution to the problem. The Act enacted for protection of those (SC/ST) is genuine. But amendments can be made,” Aney stressed.
Aney was speaking at a conference of Vidarbha Rajya Aghadi formed by him for the cause of Vidarbha State.