Why in the News?
- Recent incidents, the lynching of Hariom Valmiki, the suicide of IPS officer Y Puran Kumar, and the attack on Chief Justice B R Gavai, have reignited discussions on caste-based discrimination in India.
- Though these events differ in nature, they share one common thread: all victims were Dalits, raising questions about the invisible yet persistent role of caste in modern India.
Understanding Caste in Contemporary India
- Caste is not just a relic of the past; it continues to shape social interactions, access to resources, and institutional behavior.
- It is not confined to rural or backward areas, it exists in urban spaces, elite institutions, and modern professions.
- Caste-based injustice often doesn’t announce itself directly; it hides behind layers of bureaucracy, social norms, and coded language.
Caste Bias in Everyday Realities
- Caste-based discrimination in India often operates subtly, even in seemingly neutral situations. Counterfactual reasoning, asking “what if” questions, can reveal hidden biases in social responses, institutional behavior, and media coverage.
- Dalits, for example, may face slower justice or less attention compared to dominant caste
- Even in modern urban settings, caste continues to influence treatment, institutional response, and societal reactions.
Caste-Based Atrocities: Data and Trends
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB):
| Year | Cases Against SCs | Cases Against STs |
| 2022 | 57,582 | 10,064 |
| 2023 | 57,789 (+0.4%) | 12,960 (+28.8%) |
- Forms of violence include physical assault, social ostracism, denial of housing, and workplace discrimination.
- Urban areas are not immune, discrimination persists in hiring, housing, and institutional behavior.
Legal and Constitutional Safeguards
- Social reformers like Ambedkar, Phule, Periyar, and Gandhi laid the foundation for anti-caste movements which resulted in these safeguards.
- Reservation policies: Aim to ensure representation in education, jobs, and governance. (Eg – Reservations under Article 15 and Article 16).
- Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989: Designed to protect SC/ST communities from violence and discrimination.
- Despite these efforts, implementation remains weak, and social attitudes are slow to change.
Challenges and Way Forward
| Challenge | Way Forward |
| Weak enforcement of anti-caste laws and delayed justice | Strengthen law enforcement, ensure swift prosecution, and sensitise police and judiciary about caste discrimination. |
| Entrenched social prejudices and hierarchical caste norms | Launch national campaigns through political leadership, education, media, and public platforms to promote egalitarian values. |
| Fragmented civil society and inter-community divides | Foster dialogue through civil society, religious institutions, cultural organisations, and academia to bridge community gaps. |
| Ineffective implementation of affirmative action | Rigorously implement affirmative action policies with transparent monitoring for equitable access to education, jobs, and resources. |
| Marginalised groups lack leadership, representation, and cultural platforms | Amplify Dalit, Adivasi, and Bahujan voices, revive anti-caste social movements, and provide platforms for cultural expression to assert identity and strengthen social justice agendas. |
Conclusion
Caste remains a deeply embedded social reality in India, affecting lives across regions and professions. Addressing caste-based atrocities requires more than laws, it demands political will, social reform, and cultural transformation. Reviving anti-caste movements, empowering marginalised voices, and fostering inter-caste fraternity are essential to uphold the constitutional promise of equality and dignity for all.
| Ensure IAS Mains Question Q. Caste-based discrimination in India continues to persist despite constitutional safeguards and legal frameworks. Discuss the structural, institutional, and social challenges in addressing caste atrocities. Suggest a multi-pronged approach to effectively tackle caste-based injustice. (250 words) |
| Ensure IAS Prelims Question Q. Consider the following statements regarding caste-based safeguards in India: 1. Reservation policies under Articles 15 and 16 aim to ensure representation of SCs and STs in education and employment. 2. The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, protects SC/ST communities from violence and discrimination. 3. Counterfactual reasoning can be used to empirically reveal hidden caste biases in social responses and institutional behavior. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? a) 1 and 2 only b) 2 and 3 only c) 1 and 3 only d) 1, 2, and 3 Answer: d) 1, 2, and 3 Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: Reservation policies under Articles 15 and 16 aim to ensure adequate representation of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in education, government jobs, and public services. These constitutional provisions seek to address historical social and educational disadvantages and promote equality of opportunity. Statement 2 is correct: The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, provides legal protection to SC/ST communities against violence, discrimination, and social exclusion. It defines specific offences, prescribes stringent punishment, and empowers authorities to prevent atrocities effectively. Statement 3 is correct: Counterfactual reasoning involves asking “what if” questions to uncover hidden biases in social interactions, institutional behavior, and media coverage. It helps reveal subtle forms of caste-based discrimination that may not be visible in routine or seemingly neutral situations. |
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