Why in the News?

According to a recent government report, 97.7% of atrocities against Scheduled Castes in 2022 were concentrated in 13 states, with Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh reporting the highest numbers.

What are the finding as per report?

• Concentration of Cases: Approximately 97.7% of atrocities against Scheduled Castes (SCs) were reported from 13 states, with Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh having the highest incidents. For Scheduled Tribes (STs), 98.91% of cases were also concentrated in these states.

• Statistics on Atrocities:

• • • For SCs, there were 51,656 reported cases, with Uttar Pradesh alone accounting for 23.78% (12,287 cases).
    • Other significant contributors included Rajasthan (8,651 cases, 16.75%) and Madhya Pradesh (7,732 cases, 14.97%).
    • For STs, a total of 9,735 cases were registered, with Madhya Pradesh reporting the highest at 30.61% (2,979 cases).

• Investigation and Charge-Sheeting:

• • Among SC-related cases, 60.38% resulted in charge sheets, while 14.78% concluded with final reports due to reasons like false claims or lack of evidence.
  • For ST-related cases, the charge-sheeting rate was slightly higher at 63.32%, with similar conclusions for final reports.
• Conviction Rates: The conviction rate for atrocities under the Act has declined to 32.4% in 2022 from 39.2% in 2020, indicating a concerning trend in legal outcomes for victims.
• Special Courts and Infrastructure: Out of 498 districts, only 194 had established special courts to expedite trials related to these cases, highlighting a significant gap in judicial infrastructure.

What are the protection for SCs in Indian law?

The Indian legal framework provides several protections for SCs under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989:

• Prohibition of Atrocities: The Act defines various forms of atrocities against SC members, including social exclusion, bonded labor, forced manual scavenging, and physical violence.
• Legal Recourse: Victims can report crimes to the police or the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), which has the authority to investigate complaints and ensure legal protections are enforced.
• Punishments for Offenders: Offenders can face imprisonment ranging from six months to five years along with fines for committing atrocities against SC members.

What are the intiative taken by government to empower SCs in economical and social term?

• Reservation Policies: The Constitution mandates reservations for SCs in government jobs and educational institutions to enhance their representation and opportunities.
• Financial Assistance Programs: Various schemes provide financial support for self-employment and skill development among SC communities to improve their economic status. Example is the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC).
• Establishment of Protection Cells: SC/ST Protection Cells have been set up across states to address grievances and ensure the enforcement of protective laws.For instance, in Karnataka, these cells have been actively involved in monitoring atrocities against SCs/STs and conducting surveys in atrocity-prone areas
• Awareness Campaigns and Training Programs: The government conducts awareness campaigns to educate SC communities about their rights and available legal protections. For example,“Bharat ke Sathi” campaign.

Way forward: 

• Strengthening Legal and Judicial Mechanisms: Establish more special courts and fast-track mechanisms in all districts to ensure timely justice for victims of atrocities, alongside improving conviction rates through effective investigation and prosecution.
• Empowering SC Communities Through Socio-Economic Initiatives: Expand skill development, financial assistance programs, and awareness campaigns to improve economic independence and social integration of SC communities, ensuring better enforcement of their rights and protections.

Mains PYQ:

Q Whether the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) can enforce the implementation of constitutional reservation for the Scheduled Castes in the religious minority institutions? Examine. (UPSC IAS/2018)

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now