Addressing Caste-Based Atrocities in India

Syllabus: GS2/Social Issues

Context

• Caste-based atrocities, from rural villages to urban institutions, discrimination and violence against SCs and STs, continue to plague India’s social fabric, despite constitutional guarantees of equality and justice.

About the Caste-based Atrocities

• Atrocity refers to any offense listed under Section 3 of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, committed by a person who is not a member of a Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST), against someone who is.
• These offenses include:
  • Social exclusion (e.g., denying access to public spaces)
  • Physical violence (e.g., assault, rape, murder)
  • Economic exploitation (e.g., land grabbing, bonded labor)
  • Humiliation and verbal abuse based on caste identity
• The Act was enacted to prevent such offenses, ensure justice and dignity for SC/ST communities, and provide relief and rehabilitation to victims.

Recent Trend (NCRB 2023 Report)

• Crimes Against Scheduled Castes (SCs): A total of 57,789 cases were registered in 2023, marking a 0.4% increase over 2022.
  • Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number with 15,130 cases, followed by Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
  • The crime rate against SCs stood at 28.7 per lakh population.
• Crimes Against Scheduled Tribes (STs): A total of 12,960 cases were registered, reflecting a sharp 28.8% increase from the previous year.
  • It is partly attributed to the ethnic violence in Manipur, where cases against STs rose from just 1 in 2022 to 3,399 in 2023.
• Regional Disparities: High-incidence states for SC atrocities include:
  • Madhya Pradesh (72.6 per lakh);
  • Rajasthan (69.1 per lakh);
  • Bihar (42.6 per lakh);

Reasons Behind Caste-Based Atrocities in India

• Historical and Structural Inequality: Untouchability and social exclusion has created vertical inequalities that persist even after legal abolition under Article 17 of the Constitution.
• Absence of Caste Sensitivity in Institutions: Caste bias is deeply embedded in classrooms and family structures.
  • Justice K Chandru Report recommended dropping caste-based names from schools and merging institutions to reduce segregation.
• Institutional Apathy and Underreporting: MHA acknowledges that delays in investigation, lack of police sensitivity, and underrepresentation of SC/ST personnel contribute to poor enforcement of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
• Economic and Social Exclusion: Caste-based discrimination often manifests in denial of access to education, employment, and public services.
  • It fuels resentment and perpetuates cycles of poverty and vulnerability.

Legal and Institutional Gaps

• Underreporting and Low Conviction Rates: West Bengal reported only 102 cases (NCRB 2023), with a crime rate of 0.5 per lakh, raising questions about underreporting or systemic gaps in registration.
  • Only about 60% of SC-related cases led to charge sheets, while about 15% were closed due to lack of evidence or false claims.
• Inadequate Implementation of Laws: NCST highlights that many states fail to establish Special Courts for speedy trials; appoint nodal officers to monitor implementation; provide timely relief and rehabilitation to victims;
  • The Department of Social Justice notes that despite constitutional mandates, enforcement of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, remains inconsistent across states.
• Judicial and Policing Bias: The Supreme Court struck down caste-based segregation in prison labor, calling it unconstitutional and a violation of human dignity.
  • Moreover, a Parliamentary Standing Committee flagged lapses in state-level enforcement, urging the central government to push for stronger compliance with the PoA Act.

Legal Safeguards

• The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955: It penalizes the enforcement of untouchability; and prohibits denial of access to public spaces and services.
• The SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989: It defines specific offenses as ‘atrocities’ (e.g., assault, humiliation, social boycott);
  • It bars anticipatory bail for accused persons under Section 18, and mandates Special Courts for speedy trials; 
  • It provides for victim compensation and rehabilitation;
• The SC/ST (PoA) Amendment Act, 2015: It expands the list of punishable offenses; and strengthens witness protection and procedural safeguards.
• National Helpdesk for Prevention of Atrocities: It has resolved over 634,000 grievances, offering legal aid and tracking complaints.
  • Meanwhile, the Open Government Data Platform provides granular data on crimes against SCs, aiding transparency and research.

Judicial Interpretation

• 2025: The Supreme Court upheld the bar on anticipatory bail for caste crime accused, warning against ‘mini-trials’ at the bail stage;
• 2024: The Court declared caste-based segregation in prison labor unconstitutional, directing states to revise prison manuals within three months
  • These judgments affirm that caste-based discrimination violates fundamental rights to dignity and equality.
• Institutional Mechanisms: Institutions like the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes and the Ministry of Social Justice are tasked with:
  • Monitoring implementation of safeguards;
  • Investigating complaints;
  • Advising on policy reforms;

Way Forward

• Strengthen Law Enforcement: Ensure swift investigation, prosecution, and sensitisation of police and judiciary on caste bias.
• Promote Egalitarian Values: Launch nationwide educational and media campaigns to dismantle caste-based prejudices.
• Revitalise Civil Society: Encourage religious institutions, academia, and NGOs to foster inter-caste dialogue and solidarity.
• Ensure Affirmative Action: Enforce reservations transparently, ensuring equitable access to education, employment, and resources.
• Amplify Marginalised Voices: Empower Dalit, Adivasi, and Bahujan leaders to drive the social justice agenda.
• Judicial Reforms: Fast-track courts for atrocity cases should be expanded to all districts.

Source: TH