(Asian Independent)
National Coalition for Strengthening SCs and STs (PoA) Act (NCSPA), a platform of more than 500 Dalits and Adivasis civil society organisations, communities, leaders and activists welcomes the release of Crime in India 2019 report. Data on crimes against Dalits and Adivasis draws a distinct pattern of similarity between rural and urban spaces. The latest data published by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) also captures some anomalies and interesting trends. The 2019 NCRB report on
atrocities against Dalits and Adivasis, shows that a large proportion of crimes against Dalits and Adivasis involves crime against women. The Crime in India Report 2019 data has revealed that:
- Atrocities/Crime against Scheduled Castes have increased by 7.3% in 2019 (45,935) over 2018 (42793). Uttar Pradesh (11,829 cases) reported the highest number of cases of atrocities against Scheduled Castes (SCs) accounting for 25.7% followed by Rajasthan with 14.9% (6794) and Bihar with 14.24% (6544) during 2019. The next two states in the list are Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra accounting for 11.53%(5300) and Maharashtra 4.68%(2150). The above top five states reported 71.05% of cases of atrocities against Scheduled Castes. The recent incidents of atrocities against Scheduled Castes in Lakhim Pur khiri, Hathras and Balrampur reflects the harsh realities at the grass roots.
- Atrocities/Crime against Scheduled Tribes have increased by 26.4% in 2019 (8257) over 2018 (6528). Madhya Pradesh (1,922 cases) reported the highest number of cases of atrocities against Scheduled Tribes (STs) accounting for 23.27% followed by Rajasthan with 21.76% (1,797 cases) and Uttar Pradesh with 8.7% (721 cases) during 2019.Orrisa was next in the list with 6.9%(576) followed by Maharashtra at 6.7%(559). The above top five states reported 67.33% of cases of atrocities against Scheduled Tribes.
- Cases of Rape against Schedule caste women account for 7.5% (3486 cases) of the total cases reported. Cases of Rape, Attempt to rape and Assault on women to outrage her modesty cumulatively stood at 15% (6985). Similarly, cases of Rape against Schedule tribe women stood at 10.65% (880 cases) of the total cases reported. Cases of Rape, Attempt to rape and Assault on women to outrage her modesty cumulatively stood at 24.3% (8257). Cases of Murder, Attempt to murder and Grievous hurt were reported as 923, 780 and 1050 respectively against Scheduled Caste. Similarly for Scheduled Tribes, Cases of Murder, Attempt to murder and Grievous hurt were reported as 182,137 and 112 respectively. When the country was still pleading for the justice for Dalit women, incidents of violence against Dalit Women in Hathras, Balrampur and Lakhimpur emerged as a shock for the nation .
- Total of 62195 cases of atrocities against Scheduled Castes were pending for investigation at the end of the year 2019, including previous year cases. Similarly 10878 Cases of atrocities against Schedule Tribe were pending for investigation .A total of 44236 cases of atrocities against SCs and 7955 Cases of atrocities against STs were disposed off by police. Charge sheeting percentage for the atrocities against Scheduled Castes ended with 78.5% and 81.7% for Scheduled Tribes.
- A total of 204191 cases of atrocities against SCs and 33583 cases of atrocities against STs came for trial in the court. Out of these cases, trials in 12498 of atrocities against SCs were completed and 2814 cases for STs. Conviction percentage under the SCs and STs (PoA) Act in conjunction with IPC remained at 32.1% for SCs and 26.4% for STs. The acquittal percentage (includes acquittal as well as the cases where the accused is discharged) ended with 67.9% for SCs and 73.6% for STs. At the end of the year 93.8 % of cases of atrocities against SCs were pending whereas for STs, the percentage stood at 91.4%.
Even after the amendments came in force in year 2016, which generated a hope to the Dalit and Adivasis victims in accessing speedy justice, again the concern remains is the implementation of the amended SCs and STs (PoA) Amended Act 2015 as the experience says that even after the passage of more than 5 years the new provisions of SCs and STs (PoA) Amendment Act 2015 are not being enforced in a proper manner. With the audacity with which crimes are conducted it is very much evident that there is complete absence of fear. Shoddy law and governance is very much responsible for encouraging the perpetrators to get away with the crimes.
Escalating atrocities across the country against Dalit and Adivasi organization across the country shows that Dalits and Adivasis communities are still suffering from inhuman atrocities like murders and mass murders, social boycott and economic boycott, mass arsons, rapes, gang rapes etc. in different parts of our country, on a daily basis. These are only a few examples, large number of the cases go unreported and are often compromised.
We call upon the Government of India that they must: Robustly, enforce and implement the new provisions of the amended SCs and STs (PoA) Act 1989. Take swift and robust action against the dominant caste perpetrators violating the human rights of Dalits and Adivasis. Conduct an open and transparent investigation under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015 and prosecute those Government and police officials who are found to have aided and abetted criminals. Robustly implement the Exclusive Special Courts mandated in the amended act for speedy trials.
We, on behalf of Dalit and Adivasis communities assure the Govt. of India, political parties elected representatives that we will not stand for continued inequality. We want immediate action to end atrocities against Dalit and Adivasis and have grown in awareness enough not to trust mere promises declarations. Dalit leaders across the country are setting out on a common mission to end this deliberate delay. We will not rest until elected representatives and political parties take responsibility for this failure and take action on the promises that have earned them the power.
With Warm Regards,
Dr. V. A. Ramesh Nathan
General Secretary
National Dalit Movement for Justice(NDMJ)- NCDHR
National Convener
National Coalition for Strengthening the POA Act and Its Implementation
+91 95600 28068
