CMs meet in Delhi to debate atrocities on Dalits — Advani

On members’ concern that Dalit families from the village had migrated after the incident due to fear psychosis, the Home Minister said it was indeed a serious matter and he would ask the state Chief Minister to bring them back and take effective steps for their rehabilitation.

Advani said though law and order was a state subject, the Centre could not shirk its responsibility. "The overall responsibility in matters of SC and ST rests with the Centre and it is not purely a law and order subject," he said.

Replying to a member’s suggestion that the Home Minister should visit the village to instil confidence in the minds of the Dalits there, Advani said though law and order was a state subject, he would have no objection to visit the site.

The Home Minister said a delegation of MPs could also visit the area for assessing the situation.

Referring to members’ complaint that the statement made by him earlier in the day was very sketchy, Advani said he had made the statement keeping in mind certain decorum and tradition to be maintained on a state subject.

He agreed with another member that atrocities on Dalits were going on because they had started asserting themselves with spread of education and were seeking social dignity.