Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan recorded the highest number of caste-based atrocities in the country, an NCRB report from 2016 has revealed.
Chronicling the years 2014-2016, data from the report suggests that these two states rank the worst, when it comes to crimes committed against the Dalit and Adivasi communities.
While the report offers data from 2014-2016, it is important in the current political environment, where Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are both prepping for their Assembly elections which are right around the corner. The numbers are especially alarming for the BJP, as it was in power in both states during the years in which these crimes were recorded.
Data further shows that when it comes to crimes against scheduled castes (SC) in India, Madhya Pradesh ranks first, followed by Rajasthan. For crimes against scheduled tribes (ST), Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh rank fourth and fifth respectively.
SC/ST Agitation in MP & Rajasthan
Earlier in April, a mass mobilisation headed by various SC/ST groups was organised, in response to the changes made to the Prevention of Atrocities (SC/ST) Act by the Supreme Court, The Indian Express reported.
Following this, the central government stepped in to ensure that the Bill was passed in Parliament, which restored some of the provisions of the original legislation, the report added.
As a result of this, those belonging to the General category reportedly started speaking about the SC/ST Act being “misused” in favour of the two groups, the report stated.
What are the Kind of Crimes Committed Against SC/ST?
The various kinds of crimes that the NCRB report has covered, are: Crimes against women, including assault, rape and sexual harassment, murder, attempt to commit murder, grievous hurt, and kidnapping.
Dismissing the claims of the SC/ST being “misused” and the rate of crime against these two groups in the Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan being exaggerated, Dharam Pal Rawat of the Jaipur-based Dalit Evam Adivasi Vikas Parishad told The Indian Express:
The cases of misuse are less than one percent, the rest are serious crimes. There is no question of misuse when the Act is not even properly used due to fear of upper caste retribution or because the police often refuse to file FIR.
Crimes/Atrocities Against SC
Based on the NCRB report, the year 2014 saw 3,294 cases of crimes or atrocities committed against those belonging to the scheduled caste in Madhya Pradesh, and 6,735 cases of crimes or atrocities against this group in Rajasthan.
The number these cases have remained consistently high in these states in 2015 and 2016 as well, with MP lodging 3,546 and 4,922 cases, and Rajasthan registering 5,911 and 5,134 cases.
Crimes/Atrocities Against ST
The rate of crimes committed against those belonging to the scheduled tribe groups has also remained high through 2014-2016 in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan – the time period that the report has focussed on.
According to the NCRB report, while Madhya Pradesh recorded 1,823 crimes against STs in 2016, Rajasthan showed a record 1,195 crimes against this group in the same year.
(With inputs from The Indian Express)
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