VIOLENCE AGAINST DALITS, OPSC MAINS.

Introduction

India has enacted strong constitutional and legal safeguards to protect Dalits, including special laws, reservations, and institutional mechanisms. However, violence against Dalits continues to rise, revealing a gap between legal intent and social reality.

Legal Provisions for Dalit Protection

Constitutional safeguards: Articles 15, 17, and 46 prohibit discrimination and promote Dalit welfare.

SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989: Criminalises caste-based violence and humiliation.

Institutional mechanisms: Special courts, fast-track trials, and monitoring bodies.

Despite this robust framework, atrocities persist.

Reasons for Rising Violence Against Dalits
1. Assertion and Backlash

Increased Dalit assertion through education, political participation, and land rights often leads to upper-caste backlash.

Violence acts as a tool to reinforce traditional hierarchies.

2. Weak Implementation of Laws

Poor FIR registration, delayed trials, and low conviction rates reduce deterrence.

Local administration often shows caste bias or apathy.

3. Socio-Economic Inequalities

Landlessness, poverty, and dependence on dominant castes make Dalits vulnerable.

Economic empowerment threatens entrenched interests, triggering violence.

4. Social Legitimisation of Caste

Caste prejudice remains embedded in social practices, marriages, and local power structures.

Khap norms, honour codes, and everyday discrimination normalize violence.

5. Political and Institutional Failure

Politicisation of caste issues and vote-bank calculations weaken strict enforcement.

Lack of witness protection discourages reporting.

Conclusion

The rise in violence against Dalits despite stronger laws shows that legal provisions alone are insufficient to dismantle caste-based oppression. Effective implementation, administrative accountability, social reform, economic empowerment, and attitudinal change are essential. True justice requires not only laws on paper, but equality in practice and dignity in everyday life.