Discrimination Against Dalits

Abstract

Dalits are discriminated from long time ago. The nation can not really progress unless the dalit are developed on the par with other sections of society. Dalits are subjected to violence, especially in rural areas. Hence, there is a dire need for concerted effort by the dalit communities for creating awareness. The constitution of India provides various safeguards to implement objectives enshrined in the Constitution; and these safeguards include social, economic, educational, cultural, political, and service. But still dalits are discriminated on the large scale.

In the annual report of the SC and ST Commission, the number of cases registered under the Anti-Untouchability Act were 480 in the 1950’s, 1,903 in 1960, 3,240 during the 1970’s, 3,875 in 1980, and 1,665 during the first half of 1990. During the period of 1981-1986 and 1995-1997, there were total cases of two lakhs. The figures at the level of the judiciary are equally pathetic. Between 1992 and 2007, as many as 80 per cent of the cases heard by the special courts, (created under Section 14 of the Act), were not registered under the Act.

More than half of the SC population is concentrated in the five states of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. To improve conditions of the dalit, the media should play a pivotal role, and act as a link between the dalit and the government as well. The government should properly implement and interpret the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989.