SAD (Amritsar) Demands Amendment to SC/ST Act, Opposes Supreme Court Verdict

By Ashok Kaura
PHAGWARA: Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) leaders on Tuesday strongly opposed the recent Supreme Court verdict in the Gunjan vs State (NCT of Delhi) case, demanding immediate amendments to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, to ensure that caste-based insults committed in both public and private spaces are treated as offences under the law.
While addressing the media here today at Dr. Jakhu Hospital, Chahal Nagar, Phagwara, Acting President of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) Emaan Singh Maan criticised the Supreme Court ruling delivered on May 12, 2026, which clarified that caste-based abuses or insults occurring inside a private residence or outside public view would not attract offences under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of the SC/ST Act, as the incident must occur “within public view”.
Maan said the verdict had caused concern among members of the SC/ST community and alleged that such an interpretation weakened the spirit of the legislation enacted to safeguard marginalised sections of society. He maintained that caste-based humiliation, irrespective of whether it occurs publicly or privately, should be considered punishable under the Act.
He further stated that SAD (Amritsar), under the leadership of Simranjit Singh Maan, strongly condemned the judgment and demanded that the phrase “within public view” be removed from the law through suitable amendments by the Centre.
Addressing the press conference, Dr. Harjinder Singh Jakhu, spokesperson of SAD (Amritsar) and founder-president of Jai Bhim United Voice of Punjab, alleged that such judicial interpretations were against the interests of the SC/ST community. He appealed to social and like-minded organisations to unite and support the movement for stronger legal safeguards.
Happy Kaul was also present during the press conference.
The leaders informed that a representation regarding the matter had also been sent by Emaan Singh Maan to the Ministry of Law and Justice, seeking amendments to the existing provisions of the SC/ST Act.