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According to the latest report under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act by the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry, the majority of atrocities against Scheduled Tribes (STs) were also concentrated in 13 states, which reported 98.91% of all cases in 2022.

• Case Statistics:
  • Total cases of atrocities against Scheduled Castes (SCs): 51,656
  • Total cases against Scheduled Tribes (STs): 9,735
  • 97.7% of SC cases and 98.91% of ST cases reported from 13 states.
• States with Highest Incidents:
  • SCs:
    • Uttar Pradesh: 12,287 cases (23.78%)
    • Rajasthan: 8,651 cases (16.75%)
    • Madhya Pradesh: 7,732 cases (14.97%)
    • Other significant states: Bihar (6,799), Odisha (3,576), Maharashtra (2,706)
  • STs:
    • Madhya Pradesh: 2,979 cases (30.61%)
    • Rajasthan: 2,498 cases (25.66%)
    • Odisha: 773 cases (7.94%)
    • Other significant states: Maharashtra (691), Andhra Pradesh (499)
• Charge Sheets and Investigations:
  • SC-related cases: 60.38% resulted in charge sheets; 14.78% ended with final reports (false claims/lack of evidence).
  • ST-related cases: 63.32% led to charge sheets; 14.71% concluded similarly.
  • Pending investigations by end of 2022: 17,166 SC cases, 2,702 ST cases.
• Conviction Rates:
  • Decline from 39.2% in 2020 to 32.4% in 2022.
• Infrastructure Deficiencies:
  • Only 194 out of 498 districts in 14 states have established special courts for these cases.
  • Lack of identified atrocity-prone areas in states like Uttar Pradesh despite high case numbers.
• Protection Cells:
  • SC/ST protection cells established in multiple states and union territories.

Reasons for Atrocities Against SCs and STs

• Caste Prejudice: Deep-rooted hierarchies and social exclusion lead to violence.
• Land Disputes: Conflicts over land access among historically deprived SC/ST communities.
• Economic Marginalization: Limited access to education and resources heightens vulnerability.
• Power Imbalance: Dominant castes wield political and social influence, perpetuating discrimination.
• Inadequate Law Enforcement: Weak implementation of protective laws and bureaucratic bias hinder justice.
• Political Exploitation: Caste tensions are sometimes used for electoral gains.

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989

• Objective: Protect SCs and STs from caste-based violence and discrimination.
• Key Provisions:
  • Defines various offences against SC/ST members, prescribing stricter punishments.
  • Excludes anticipatory bail provisions for accused under the Act.
  • Mandates establishment of special courts for speedy trials.
  • Investigations must be conducted by senior police officers and completed within stipulated time frames.
• Recent Amendments:
  • 2015: Enhanced protections for SC/ST women.
  • 2019: Restored original provisions for arrest procedures following a Supreme Court ruling.

Recommendations for Improvement

• Strengthen Legal Framework: Establish more special courts and train personnel in sensitive handling of SC/ST cases.
• Improve Reporting Mechanisms: Enhance systems for victims to report atrocities without fear.
• Awareness Campaigns: Educate communities on SC/ST rights and legal protections.
• Targeted Interventions: Identify and address issues in atrocity-prone districts.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Implement frameworks for accountability and continuous improvement in addressing these issues.
• Collaborate with NGOs: Work with civil society to support victims and advocate for their rights.