There is no dilution of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and no institution or individual can take away rights of the marginalised given under the Constitution, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today.
Singh said in the Rajya Sabha during Question Hour that the government has already taken steps for ensuring rights of SC/STs by amending the relevant law.
"I want to assure the House the protection given under the Constitution to SC/ST persons cannot be taken away by any institution or any individual," Singh said.
To ensure there is no dilution of the SC and ST Act, the government has taken whatever required steps to strengthen the law, he said, adding that not only the act but also rules have been amended.
The Home Minister's statement came after CPI leader D Raja raised concern over the recent Supreme Court order.
With regard to the conviction rate, the Home Minister said that earlier special courts used to be there. "Our government felt that special courts are not sufficient, and therefore special exclusive courts were established."