S.R. Darapuri, IPS (Retd.)
(Asian independent) The National Crime Records Bureau recently released its Crime in India – 2023 report, which is much delayed. It shows statistics on crimes against Dalits. Regarding these statistics, it is important to understand that these statistics do not present the full picture, as many crimes traditionally go unreported. This has been clearly stated in numerous commissions and the 2007 report of the National Human Rights Commission. The general perception is that filing a report at the police station is the most difficult task after a crime has been committed. Nevertheless, an analysis of the data recorded by the National Crime Records Bureau in the said report reveals that crimes against Dalits in Uttar Pradesh are significantly higher than the national rate. This situation is despite the Chief Minister’s daily claims that Uttar Pradesh is crime and criminal-free.
According to the 2011 census, the Dalit (Scheduled Castes) population in Uttar Pradesh was 41.3 million, representing 21.6% of Uttar Pradesh’s total population. Uttar Pradesh has consistently been a leader in crimes against Dalits. The data in the report also indicates that crimes against Dalits in Uttar Pradesh are higher than the national rate, as demonstrated by the following analysis:
Total Crimes Against Dalits: During the said period (2023), a total of 15,130 crimes were committed, against Dalits with a crime rate (crimes per lakh population) of 36.6, compared to the national rate of 29.2. This clearly indicates that the crime rate against Dalits in Uttar Pradesh is significantly higher than the national rate.
Crimes under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989: During the said period, 12,359 crimes under the SC/ST Act, including the IPC, were committed against Dalits in Uttar Pradesh, with a crime rate of 29.9, compared to the national rate of 27.1. Therefore, these statistics also indicate that atrocities against Dalits are higher than the national rate.
Attempt to Murder: In 2023, 72 cases of attempted murder against Dalits occurred in Uttar Pradesh, with a crime rate of 0.4, compared to the national rate of 0.2. Thus, the rate of attempted murder cases against Dalits in Uttar Pradesh was twice the national rate.
Sexual Harassment: During the said period, 203 crimes of sexual harassment against Dalit women were committed in Uttar Pradesh, with a crime rate of 0.5, compared to the national rate of 0.3. This clearly indicates that cases of sexual harassment against Dalit women in Uttar Pradesh were higher than the national rate during the said period.
Crimes of Disrobing Dalit Women: During the said period, 95 crimes of disrobing Dalit women occurred in Uttar Pradesh, with a crime rate of 0.2, which was twice the national rate of 0.1.
Abduction of Dalit Women: In 2023, there were 379 cases of abduction of Dalit women in Uttar Pradesh, with a crime rate of 0.9, more than double the national rate of 0.4. This exposes the ground reality of how safe women, especially Dalit women, are in Uttar Pradesh.
Abduction of Dalit Women to Force Marriage: During this period, there were 207 cases of abduction of Dalit women in Uttar Pradesh to force marriage, with a crime rate of 0.5, more than double the national rate of 0.2. This further demonstrates the insecurity of Dalit women.
Rape: During this period, 645 rapes of Dalit women occurred, with a crime rate of 1.6, lower than the national rate of 2.1. It should also be noted that these statistics are not very reliable, as in many cases, the victims themselves do not go to the police station to file a report. Furthermore, those who do go to the police station often find it difficult to register a report. In many cases, the police deliberately do not provide immediate medical attention to the victim, destroying crucial evidence. In many cases, police pressure the victims to compromise with influential rapists.
Other Abductions: In 2023, there were 155 cases of other abductions of Dalits in Uttar Pradesh, with a crime rate of 0.4, four times higher than the national rate of 0.1.
Criminal Intimidation: During the same period, there were 1,505 cases of criminal intimidation against Dalits, with a crime rate of 3.6, which was 1.5 times higher than the national rate of 2.3.
Other IPC Crimes: In 2023, there were 5,814 other IPC crimes against Dalits in Uttar Pradesh, with a crime rate of 14.1, much higher than the national rate of 8.6.
Crimes under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act: During the period, 2,771 crimes against Dalits were committed in Uttar Pradesh under the said Act, with a crime rate of 6.7, three times higher than the national rate of 2.1.
Intentional Humiliation: During the period under review, 792 cases of intentional humiliation of Dalits occurred, with a rate of 1.9, more than double the national rate of 0.8. This reflects the extent to which Dalits are humiliated in Uttar Pradesh.
Other Crimes: 1,806 crimes were committed under this category, with a crime rate of 2.4, almost four times higher than the national rate of 1.2.
It is clear from the above discussion that the rates of serious crimes against Dalits in Uttar Pradesh, such as harassment under the SC/ST Act, attempted murder, kidnapping, intentional intimidation, and IPC crimes, are significantly higher than the national rate. Similarly, the rate of crimes against Dalit women like sexual harassment, stripping, kidnapping, abduction for forcing marriage etc. is much higher than the national rate. This fact refutes the Uttar Pradesh government’s claim that Dalits and women are safe.
