New Delhi: The Union government informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that the increase in cases registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act is primarily due to growing awareness, extensive publicity, and capacity-building initiatives for police personnel.
Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar, responding to a question raised by Janata Dal-United (JD-U) MP Alok Kumar Suman, revealed that over 67,000 cases were registered in 2022 under the SC/ST Act. This marked the highest number of cases recorded in the past decade, according to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
Breaking down the figures, the minister reported 57,582 cases of atrocities against Scheduled Castes (SC) and 10,064 against Scheduled Tribes (ST). The surge highlights a combination of increased reporting and enforcement efforts, officials said.
In response to concerns about ongoing discrimination, Mr. Kumar detailed several initiatives aimed at reducing bias and protecting SC and ST communities. The measures include:
- Establishing SC/ST cells, equal opportunity cells, and student grievance cells in Central Universities.
- Appointing Liaison Officers to address discrimination issues.
- Running a National Helpline Against Atrocities and a centrally sponsored scheme for effective implementation of protective laws.
He also noted the enactment of two key laws: the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, which provide safeguards against discrimination and violence.
However, the government admitted it does not maintain centralized data on discrimination in institutions such as Central Universities, IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, and public sector undertakings. This was in response to Mr. Suman’s request for data on bias within these institutions over the past decade.
Reports of atrocities against SCs and STs continue to dominate headlines. For example, recent cases include the assault and humiliation of a Dalit man in Bihar for demanding his wages and the fatal beating of another in Madhya Pradesh. These incidents underscore the gaps in societal attitudes and the challenges in enforcement despite the existence of robust laws.
The NCRB data also highlighted that Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh remain the top states for cases of atrocities against Dalits, raising questions about the effectiveness of local administrative measures.
Experts believe that while the increase in cases signifies improved reporting and awareness, it also reflects persistent systemic inequities. They emphasize the need for comprehensive social reforms alongside legal measures to address deep-rooted prejudices.
