Legal and Social Safeguards Against Caste-Based Atrocities: A Critical Analysis of Victims’ Rights and Remedies in India

Abstract

Due to its deep sociocultural roots, caste-based discrimination is still a major problem in India. The National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) reported over 50,000 cases of atrocities against Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in 2022, despite constitutional provisions and legislative measures such as the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Despite its comprehensiveness, the legal system is beset by societal biases, judicial delays, and police indifference. This essay examines systemic shortcomings, emphasizing the gaps in the administration of justice through significant incidents like Karamchedu and Khairlanji. It offers specific reforms like police training, fast-track courts, and victim rehabilitation programs after critically evaluating the effectiveness of legislative protections, judicial interventions, and administrative procedures. The study emphasizes the need for a multidimensional approach involving legal enforcement, education, and public awareness to address the deep-seated inequalities and ensure the realization of constitutional principles of equality and justice.