Scheduled Castes Enduring Struggle : Caste-Based Violence in 2022

Introduction

India’s caste system, one of the oldest forms of social stratification in the world, continues to influence society, even in the 21st century. Scheduled Castes (SCs), historically marginalized communities referred to as “untouchables,” continue to face systemic discrimination and violence despite constitutional safeguards and legal protections. The 2022 data on crimes against SCs reveals a disturbing picture of the prevailing social inequities. This blog provides a comprehensive analysis of the state-wise crime count, types of crimes committed, and the broader socio-political and cultural context that perpetuates these atrocities. This data was released by National Crime Records Bureau and Ministry of Home Affairs, India.

The Historical Context of Caste-Based Violence

Before delving into the specifics of crime data, it is essential to understand the historical backdrop against which caste-based violence occurs. India’s caste system, codified in Hindu scriptures and deeply embedded in the social fabric for thousands of years, categorizes individuals into hierarchical groups. At the bottom of this hierarchy are the Scheduled Castes, who have traditionally been subject to social ostracism, economic exploitation, and violence.

Even though India’s Constitution abolished “untouchability” and provided Scheduled Castes with affirmative action policies, the legacy of caste-based discrimination has not vanished. Caste continues to influence various aspects of life in rural and urban India, from access to education and employment to the social interactions between different communities.

Despite significant strides toward modernization and legal protections like the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, crimes against Scheduled Castes continue at alarming rates. The 2022 data on these crimes paints a troubling picture of how deeply entrenched caste-based violence remains in Indian society.

The Legal Landscape: Protections for Scheduled Castes

India has one of the most robust legal frameworks for protecting marginalized communities, particularly SCs. The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, also known as the SC/ST Act, is a landmark legislation designed to curb caste-based violence. It criminalizes a wide array of offenses against Scheduled Castes, including physical violence, sexual assault, forced labor, and social ostracism.

Other legal protections include the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, which focuses on abolishing untouchability, and Article 17 of the Indian Constitution, which explicitly bans the practice of untouchability in all forms.

Despite these comprehensive legal safeguards, the enforcement of these laws remains inconsistent. Many cases go underreported, and conviction rates are often low due to various factors, including police inefficiency, social stigma, and political influence.

Analyzing 2022 Crime Data: A State-Wise Breakdown

The 2022 crime data provides a detailed look at how crimes against Scheduled Castes vary across different states in India. While some states have made notable strides in reducing violence against SCs, others continue to grapple with high levels of caste-based crime. The data reveals a complex picture shaped by cultural, political, and economic factors.

States with the Highest Crime Rates

Rajasthan emerges as one of the most concerning states in terms of crimes against Scheduled Castes, with a crime rate of 71.6 per lakh SC population. Despite its historical role in Indian politics and culture, Rajasthan continues to witness rampant caste-based violence, often rooted in rural areas where caste hierarchies are strictly enforced. The high crime rate suggests both a failure of law enforcement and a deeply ingrained casteist mindset.
Madhya Pradesh, another state with a large SC population, recorded a crime rate of 68.2 per lakh SC population. Madhya Pradesh has long been a hotbed of caste-based atrocities, particularly in its rural heartlands, where upper-caste landlords and political elites often dominate local power structures.
Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, reported the highest number of crimes in absolute terms, with 15,368 cases. However, the crime rate in Uttar Pradesh was 37.2 per lakh population, which, while high, is lower than Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh’s complex socio-political landscape, combined with its significant SC population, makes it a critical state for understanding caste-based violence.
Bihar reported 6,509 crimes with a crime rate of 39.3 per lakh SC population. Bihar’s history of caste violence, particularly in its rural areas, has often been tied to land disputes and economic exploitation, where upper-caste landlords exert significant control over SC laborers.
Odisha recorded 2,902 crimes and a crime rate of 40.4. Although Odisha has made economic progress in recent years, the state’s rural areas continue to be plagued by caste-based violence, particularly in regions where SC communities struggle for land and resources.

States with Lower Reported Crime Rates

West Bengal and Assam reported some of the lowest crime rates against Scheduled Castes, at 0.5 and 0.6 per lakh population, respectively. While these figures might suggest a safer environment for SCs, it is crucial to consider the possibility of underreporting. In many cases, crimes against SCs go unreported due to fear of retribution or a lack of awareness about legal rights.
Kerala, often lauded for its progressive social policies, reported 1,050 cases of crimes against Scheduled Castes, with a crime rate of 34.5 per lakh population. While lower than some northern states, Kerala’s data highlights that even in relatively progressive states, caste-based violence remains a serious issue.

Anomalies and Outliers

One of the most striking anomalies in the 2022 data is Mizoram, which, despite reporting only 5 crimes, has an astronomical crime rate of 410.5 per lakh SC population. This outlier may be explained by Mizoram’s relatively small SC population, where even a small number of crimes can result in a disproportionately high crime rate.

Similarly, states and union territories like Goa, Puducherry, and Delhi reported lower absolute numbers of crimes but relatively high crime rates. This suggests that while the overall number of incidents may be lower in these regions, SCs still face significant risks of violence and discrimination.

States with No Reported Crimes

Several northeastern states, including Manipur, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh, reported zero crimes against Scheduled Castes in 2022. While this may appear positive at first glance, it raises important questions about whether these figures reflect genuine progress or the underreporting of caste-based violence. In regions where SC populations are smaller or more isolated, crimes may not be reported due to fear of social exclusion or a lack of access to justice.

Types of Crimes Committed Against Scheduled Castes

The data also reveals the variety of crimes committed against SC communities, ranging from violent assaults to social exclusion and economic exploitation. These crimes are often tied to caste dynamics and reflect deeper systemic issues within Indian society.

1. Physical Violence and Assault

Simple Hurt: The highest number of crimes recorded is “Simple Hurt” with 18,428 cases. This suggests that physical violence, though not life-threatening, is a significant issue for Scheduled Castes.
Criminal Intimidation: Ranking third with 5,274 cases, this crime shows a high frequency of threats or coercive behavior towards individuals, possibly linked to systemic caste oppression and social control.
Grievous Hurt: With 1,281 cases, this represents more severe injuries inflicted upon the victims, showing a substantial occurrence of extreme physical violence.

2. Sexual Violence

Rape: There are 4,241 cases of rape, highlighting a critical area of concern regarding the sexual violence faced by Scheduled Caste women.
Assault on Women to Outrage Her Modesty: This crime, which typically involves sexual harassment or assault, accounts for 4,160 cases. It signifies a pattern of violence targeting women, particularly in socially marginalized groups.
Insult to the Modesty of Women: While less frequent with 226 cases, this still points to the prevalence of crimes related to degrading or humiliating women.

3. Life-Threatening Crimes

Attempt to Murder: There are 1,126 cases of attempted murder, indicating a significant level of hostility that escalates to life-threatening situations.
Murder: With 954 cases, the data reflects the gravity of crime against SCs, where caste-based violence leads to loss of life.
Kidnapping and Abduction: There are 1,087 cases, showing a concerning trend of individuals being forcibly taken, potentially for exploitation or further violence.

4. Caste-Based Violence and Rioting

Rioting: There are 972 cases of rioting, which may be linked to caste-related tensions, protests, or conflicts. These incidents often involve mobs targeting Scheduled Castes.

Other IPC Crimes: A significant number of 14,782 cases fall under this category, representing a variety of other offenses against SC individuals not specifically listed in this data.
Arson: There are 167 cases of arson, suggesting that property destruction, likely targeted against SC communities, is a form of intimidation or retaliation.
Robbery and Dacoity: Although less frequent, with 55 and 9 cases respectively, these property crimes still point to instances where SC individuals are victims of theft or organized looting.

6. Crimes under SC/ST Act

Under SC/ST Act Only (without IPC): There are 4,703 cases solely under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, indicating specific crimes of caste-based discrimination that may not involve general criminal laws but are prosecutable under the act.
Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955: Only 13 cases were recorded under this act, possibly reflecting a narrow application or underreporting of crimes where civil rights are infringed upon due to caste.

While physical violence often grabs headlines, economic exploitation remains one of the most insidious forms of caste-based crime. Scheduled Castes, particularly in rural areas, are frequently subjected to bonded labor, forced servitude, and economic coercion. This exploitation is often tied to land disputes, where upper-caste landowners force SC laborers into unfair or illegal working conditions.
In states like Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, Scheduled Castes are often trapped in cycles of debt and forced labor, unable to escape the economic domination of upper-caste landlords. While laws exist to protect laborers from such exploitation, enforcement remains weak, and many SCs are left without legal recourse.

Why Does Caste-Based Violence Persist?

Despite decades of legal protections and social movements aimed at dismantling caste hierarchies, caste-based violence persists in India for several reasons. Understanding these factors is crucial for addressing the root causes of violence against Scheduled Castes.

Caste is deeply ingrained in India’s social fabric, particularly in rural areas where traditional power structures remain strong. Many communities continue to view SCs as “inferior” and use violence as a means of maintaining caste-based boundaries. These norms are often reinforced by local elites, who benefit from the continued marginalization of SC communities.

2. Weak Law Enforcement

While India’s legal framework for protecting SCs is robust, enforcement remains inconsistent. In many cases, local police and judicial systems are either indifferent to caste-based violence or actively complicit in protecting upper-caste perpetrators. The low conviction rates for crimes against Scheduled Castes reflect the broader failures of the criminal justice system in addressing caste-based violence.

3. Underreporting of Crimes

Underreporting is a significant issue when it comes to crimes against Schedule castes. Many victims are reluctant to come forward due to fear of retaliation or social ostracism. In some cases, local authorities actively discourage SCs from reporting crimes, either through intimidation or by downplaying the severity of the offense.

4. Lack of Awareness and Education

Many SC individuals, particularly in rural areas, are unaware of their legal rights or how to seek justice. This lack of awareness, combined with widespread illiteracy and economic dependence on upper-caste employers, makes Scheduled Castes vulnerable to exploitation and violence.

Caste-based violence is often linked to local power dynamics, where upper-caste elites dominate political and economic systems. In many cases, crimes against SCs are not isolated incidents but part of a broader system of control and subjugation, where violence is used to maintain the social order.

The Path Forward: Addressing Caste-Based Violence

Addressing caste-based violence requires a multifaceted approach that tackles both the immediate issue of violence and the broader social structures that perpetuate caste-based discrimination.

1. Strengthening Law Enforcement

One of the most critical steps in addressing caste-based violence is strengthening the enforcement of existing laws. Police and judicial systems need to be held accountable for their handling of caste-based crimes, with higher conviction rates and swifter justice for victims.

2. Raising Awareness

Public awareness campaigns are essential for educating both SC communities and the broader public about the legal protections available to victims of caste-based violence. Empowering SC individuals to report crimes and seek justice is crucial for breaking the cycle of violence.

Ultimately, the fight against caste-based violence requires a fundamental shift in societal attitudes toward caste. This involves challenging long-standing norms and promoting equality at every level of society. Education, both formal and informal, plays a crucial role in dismantling caste-based hierarchies.

4. Economic Empowerment

Providing SC communities with economic opportunities and access to education is vital for reducing their vulnerability to violence and exploitation. Economic empowerment can break the cycle of dependence on upper-caste landlords and employers, giving SC individuals greater control over their lives and futures.

5. Political Representation

Ensuring that SC communities have adequate political representation is another key factor in addressing caste-based violence. When Scheduled Castes have a voice in local and national politics, they are better positioned to advocate for their rights and demand justice for crimes committed against them.

Conclusion

The 2022 data on crimes against Scheduled Castes highlights the ongoing challenges India faces in creating a truly equitable and just society. Despite legal protections and socio-political progress, caste-based violence remains a significant issue across the country. By addressing the root causes of this violence and ensuring stronger enforcement of laws, India can move closer to fulfilling its constitutional promise of equality and justice for all.

The road ahead is long, but with concerted efforts from the government, civil society, and individuals, India can begin to dismantle the caste-based hierarchies that have perpetuated violence and discrimination for centuries.

If you found this blog insightful, I encourage you to explore other related posts that delve deeper into the multifaceted issues faced by India’s marginalized communities. In Female Suicides 2022: How Location, Age, and Methods Influence the Crisis, we examine geographic distribution, age-group patterns, causes, and means of suicide. Another post, Women Suicides in India: Unraveling the Socioeconomic Triggers of Suicides in 2022, highlights the systemic barriers that continue to hinder the socio-economic mobility of these communities. Together, these blogs provide a comprehensive view of the overlapping challenges faced by the Scheduled Castes, offering a more nuanced understanding of the socio-political landscape in India.