Deadly caste protests across India leaves six dead

Low-caste Dalits fought street battles with police on Monday that left at least six dead as protests against a Supreme Court rights ruling swept across large swathes of India. Protesters clashed with security forces, attacked buses and government buildings, and blocked trains and major roads.

The "Bharat Bandh" – or India shutdown – protest was called by groups representing the Dalits, once condemned as the "untouchables," who make up 200 million of India's 1.25 billion population and are at the bottom of the caste hierarchy.

They are angry at a Supreme Court ruling that banned the automatic arrest of the accused in cases under a special law to protect marginalized groups who suffer widespread discrimination.

The 1989 Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was intended to guard against the harassment of Dalits and other groups.

Dalits are among the most marginalized groups in a country where caste discrimination is outlawed but remains widespread.

Dalit leaders say the ruling increases the likelihood of attacks.

(AFP)