Daijiworld Media Network - Patna

Patna, Feb 7: Bihar Rural Works Minister and senior JD(U) leader Ashok Choudhary on Friday cautioned against the misuse of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, following a case lodged by Darbhanga police involving 70 people from the Brahmin community. Twelve of them have been arrested so far.

Choudhary, who belongs to the SC community, said, “The SC/ST Act must not be misused. Whether it is the SC/ST Act or the Dowry Act, they are often misused. These Acts were made for the protection of Dalits and women. Misuse will erode sympathy for Dalits and affect social harmony.”

The case stems from an incident in Harinagar village under Kusheshwar Sthan police station. On January 30, Kailash Paswan, a mason seeking pending wages of Rs 2.47 lakh from work done in 2015, allegedly assaulted Hemkant Jha and Srinath Jha amid a dispute over dues. Both parties filed complaints, and as injuries were not serious, the case was booked under bailable sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

On January 31, over 150 people from Brahmin settlements reportedly attacked the Paswan household, injuring more than a dozen people, nine of whom were admitted to Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital. Police subsequently booked 70 people, including Hemkant Jha, under the SC/ST Act and relevant BNS provisions.

Biraul SDPO Prabhakar Tiwari clarified, “Harinagar has over 2,500 Brahmins and only 60-70 Paswans. The case is based on primary investigation, and no caste angle should be attached.”