UPSC Editorial Analysis: Rising Atrocities Against Scheduled Tribes in India

General Studies-2; Topic: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

Introduction

• The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2023 has brought to light a deeply troubling reality: registered cases of atrocities against Scheduled Tribes (STs) have increased by 8% compared to 2022.
• While the spike is partly due to the violent conflict in Manipur, where cases against STs rose from just one in 2022 to 3,399 in 2023, states like Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan — historically reporting high crimes against tribals — remain a cause for concern.

• Persistent patterns: Cases include lynching, custodial torture, sexual violence, land dispossession, and social humiliation — often normalised in local contexts.

Constitutional and Legal Safeguards

• Article 15 & 17: Prohibit discrimination and untouchability.
• Article 46: Directive Principle obligating the State to promote the educational and economic interests of STs.
• Fifth and Sixth Schedules: Special provisions for administration of tribal areas.
• SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (amended 2015, 2018): Defines atrocities, provides special courts, enhanced punishments, and victim rehabilitation.
• Forest Rights Act (2006): Grants land and resource rights to tribal communities.

Despite this robust legal framework, implementation remains weak.

Causes of Rising Atrocities

• Structural Inequality
  • Tribals remain among the most marginalised in HDI indicators — literacy, health, and income.
  • Land alienation continues despite FRA.
• Identity Politics and Polarisation
  • Manipur conflict showed how ethnic polarisation can fuel targeted violence.
  • Political parties often mobilize ST identity symbolically but fail to ensure ground-level justice.
• Weak Administrative Machinery
  • Poor investigation and low conviction rates undermine deterrence.
  • Delays in special courts dilute the impact of SC/ST Act.
• Cultural Stereotyping and Social Bias
  • Tribals often face entrenched prejudice as “outsiders” or “backward”, legitimising violence in local narratives.
• Economic Exploitation
  • Mining, industrial expansion, and displacement without proper rehabilitation fuel tension.
  • Tribals resisting land acquisition often face criminalisation.

Governmental Efforts

• PM JANMAN (Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan)
  • Launched in 2023 to ensure basic amenities (education, health, housing) in tribal villages.
• DAJGUA (Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan)
  • Targets holistic development of tribal villages, named after Birsa Munda.
• Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)
  • Aims to provide quality education to tribal children.
• Tribal Sub-Plan & Grants under Article 275(1)
  • Dedicated funds for welfare.

Gap: While outreach has expanded, rising atrocities show that welfare schemes alone cannot dismantle deep-rooted bias or ensure justice.

Socio-Political Implications

• Democratic Deficit: Violence against tribals erodes constitutional morality and equal citizenship.
• Developmental Hindrance: A “Viksit Bharat” vision cannot be realised if tribal populations remain insecure.
• Trust Deficit: Failure to protect tribal rights fuels alienation and can exacerbate Maoist insurgency in central India.
• Gendered Impact: Tribal women face double marginalisation, with sexual violence often going unreported or unpunished.

Way Forward

• Strengthening Justice Delivery
  • Fast-track courts for ST atrocities cases.
  • Police sensitisation and accountability mechanisms.
• Community Awareness
  • Sustained campaigns to dismantle stereotypes.
  • Inclusion of tribal history and culture in school curricula.
• Political Accountability
  • Parties must go beyond tokenism to ensure representation translates into protection.
  • Independent monitoring bodies for atrocities cases.
• Socio-Economic Empowerment
  • Strict implementation of Forest Rights Act.
  • Expansion of livelihood opportunities under MGNREGA, skill development, and PVTG-focused schemes.
• Conflict Resolution Mechanisms
  • For ethnic conflict zones like Manipur, invest in community dialogue, peacebuilding, and inclusive governance.

Conclusion

• The NCRB data is not just a statistical revelation but a moral challenge to Indian democracy. Rising atrocities against STs reflect the gap between constitutional ideals and ground realities.
• A “Viksit Bharat”, as envisioned by policymakers, will remain incomplete unless its most marginalised communities — the Adivasis — feel safe, respected, and empowered.