What Government Said About Discrimination Against SCs and STs?

New Delhi: As per the National Crime Records Bureau’s (NCRB) published data till 2022, the number of cases registered for committing crimes against Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) show increase. The data was stated on Tuesday, December 3, by the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar while answering questions raised by Janata Dal (United) MP Alok Kumar Suman. Lok Sabha member asked whether discrimination against SCs and STs have increased during the past ten years, and inquired about the details and number of cases found particularly in Central Universities, IITs/AIIMS and other Public Sector Units.

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In response, Minister drew attention to NCRB’s ‘Crime in India’ annual data which is a compilation of statistical data on crimes. As per the available reports till 2022, an increased in the number of cases can be seen. The government held that growing awareness, wider publicity and capacity building of police officials are more cases registered under The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act [PoA], 1989.

The government then detailed about the measures that it has taken to prevent discrimination at central offices and central universities. Along with the SC/ST (PoA) Act, 1989, the Protection of Civil Rights [PCR] Act, 1955 are the two acts in existence for safeguarding rights and preventing discrimination. The Atrocities Act is applicable in Central Offices and Institutions. “For the effective implementation of these Acts, the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment is running Centrally Sponsored Scheme and National Helpline Against Atrocities (NHAA) to facilitate the members of Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes,” the government has said.

Besides, National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) are functioning to provide protection against the exploitation of SCs and STs to advance and safeguard their social, educational, economic and cultural interests, Minister said.

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Continuing further, Minister said about several steps it have been taken to reduce the discrimination against Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Central Universities. The measures include “setting up of SC/ST students’ cells, Equal Opportunity Cell, Student Grievance Cell, Student Grievance Redressal Committee, Liaison Officers, etc. in Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) and issuance of regulations to safeguard the interest of students including SC/ST students,” the government stated. Also, the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) has also formulated strict rules to prohibit such incidents in the institutions, managed by it.