New Delhi, Jul 3 (PTI) The Congress has raised serious concerns over a reported 35 per cent rise in harassment incidents against Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities from 2018 to 2022 and has urged for swift and effective resolution of these grievances.
In a recent press briefing, Rajendra Pal Gautam, Chairman of the All India Congress Committee's (AICC) Scheduled Caste department, emphasized the necessity of imposing strict punishments for harassment complaints against SCs and STs. He suggested that such actions should act as a deterrent to potential offenders.
Gautam called for the comprehensive usage of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes to address more complaints related to caste-based oppression and urged states to handle such cases with the severity they deserve to ensure justice is served.
"It is imperative that actions are taken against caste-based oppression to prevent such incidents in society, instilling a sense of fear in those who might commit these crimes," he stated.
The Congress leader also appealed to the Chief Justice of India to review judgments delivered by judges potentially harboring a "casteist mindset" in cases of oppression.
Gautam pointed out, "The nation continues to witness ongoing attacks on Dalits, Adivasis, backward classes, and minorities. The situation is particularly dire in BJP-governed states, and the government's approach to these incidents is deeply irresponsible.
"Such incidents are not only shameful but also tarnish the country's reputation on the international front," Gautam remarked.
Presenting data on the escalating crimes against SC/STs, he highlighted specific numbers: In Haryana, harassment cases rose from 762 in 2017 to 1,628 by 2021. In Madhya Pradesh, yearly incidents increased from 5,892 to 7,214, while in Maharashtra, they rose from 1,689 to 2,503.
Further data showed that in Odisha, incidents surged from 1,669 to 2,327 annually, whereas in Rajasthan, they jumped from 4,238 to 7,224. Meanwhile, figures in Uttar Pradesh increased from 11,444 to 13,144, and in Uttarakhand, from 96 to 130 annually.
Despite these alarming statistics, Gautam critiqued the state governments' handling of the situation as "shameful." Based on data from 2018 to 2021, there is an estimated 10 per cent increase in crime against SCs and STs.
He cited National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data indicating a 35 per cent rise in harassment against these communities between 2018 and 2022, with 26 per cent of these cases reported in Uttar Pradesh, contrary to the BJP's claims of exemplary law and order.
The Congress leader alleged that the National Scheduled Caste Commission has received 6,02,177 complaints, yet only 5,843 from SCs and 1,783 from STs have been resolved.
"If complaints remain unaddressed, the purpose of establishing this Commission comes into question," Gautam concluded.
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