Page 2 - LN- Std 8 - civics - Chap 7 - Subtopic - 2

police station. But the Dalit familes did not came out in his support, since they

were scared of a backlash. The case was picked up by the local media and
Rathnam was written as a symbol of Dalit action. The ritual was called off but

his family was forced to move out of the village.

The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribe’s (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989
-:

(1) – This Act was formed in 1989 in response to demands made by Dalits.

(2) – They were being ill–treated and humiliates.
(3) – The ill - treatment had acquired a violent character during the 1970 – 1980.

(4) – In many parts of Southern India Dalit groups became assertive and refused to

perform their so called caste duties.
(5) – They insisted on being treated equally and refused to follow practices in which

they were exploited and humiliated.
(6) – Dalit groups demanded new laws for their protection since untouchability was

still being practiced in the most hideous manner.
(7) – During the 1970 and 1980 the Adivasis successfully organized themselves and

demanded that their forest land and resources be returned to them. They too had to

face a lot of violence.
(8) – This act contains a list of crimes horrible even to contemplate.

Punishable Crimes mentioned in the Act -:

(I) – Force a member of Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe to drink or eat any

inedible or obnoxious substance.
(II) – Forcibly removing the clothes from a member of Scheduled Caste and

Scheduled Tribe and parading them naked with painted face.
(III) – Forcing Dalit and Adivasis into performing slave labour.

(IV) – Forcibly occupying or cultivating land held by the Dalits and Adivasis or

purchasing land from them.
(V) – Assaults or uses force against Adivasi women or women belonging to

Scheduled Castes with an intent to dishonour them.