NEW DELHI: BJP's ally, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), upped the ante over the alleged dilution of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and put BJP on notice by warning that the party will join the protests by Dalit groups from August 9, if the government failed to restore the anti-atrocities law through ordinance or legislation by August 8.

Stating that LJP's alliance with BJP is "issued-based", particularly to protect the interests of Dalits, LJP MP Chirag Paswan said, "Dalits are running out of patience. If our demands are not heard before August 9 then Dalit Sena will also be compelled to hit the streets. LJP can take any decision. The ongoing monsoon session of Parliament should be prorogued and the Centre promulgate an ordinance in regard to SC/ST Act."

Though Paswan's party has just six MPs in Lok Sabha , it is crucial for the BJP in Bihar which has 40 LS seats.

Dalit groups have been agitating against the SC order prohibiting automatic arrest of those accused of committing atrocities against Dalits, alleging that the top court had watered down the law essential for the protection of Scheduled Castes. The government approached the SC for a review, but the court stood by its order.

The argument, however, has failed to wash with protesting Dalits who staged a countrywide protest on April 2. In fact, appointment of Justice A K Goel, who headed the SC bench which "rewrote" the antiatrocity Act, as the head of National Green Tribunal after his retirement has contributed to their anger.

Chirag, son of LJP boss and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan , said the protests starting August 9 could be far more "scary" than that of April 2 when Dalits had hit the streets. "We are flagging the issues so that the government takes necessary steps to avoid any crisis," he added.

The LS member demanded removal of Justice (Retd) Goel as the head of NGT, claiming that his appointment has come as a rude shock to Dalits.

Responding to a question whether LJP would quit the coalition if its demands were not met, Chirag said, "We will cross the bridge when we come to it."

