Caste Atrocities in India: A Crisis of Social Justice and Governance
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Indian Polity and Governance (Constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act); Social Issues (Caste system, Atrocities); Modern Indian History (Social reformers).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 1 (Society): Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India; Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
General Studies Paper 2 (Polity, Social Justice & Governance): Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population...and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
Key Highlights from the News
Despite constitutional protections, violence and exclusion against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (caste-based violence and exclusion) continue in India.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2023 report, there was a 28.8% increase in crimes against Scheduled Tribes (the ethnic violence in Manipur being a major reason for this).
The primary reason for such atrocities is the belief in caste-based superiority, which remains strong in society.
Despite strong laws like the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, there are significant failures in their implementation (e.g., low conviction rates, pending cases).
The article criticizes the current government for not launching a strong national campaign against caste discrimination, going beyond symbolic gestures.
A problem is the weakening of strong anti-caste movements like the Dalit Panthers in the past, and reduced responses from civil society.
To solve this problem, a multi-pronged approach is needed, including strict enforcement of laws, demonstration of political will, and strengthening civil society and anti-caste movements.
COMMENTS