SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act

The most marginalised parts of Indian society are Dalits (SC) and Tribals (ST). Since the dawn of time, they have been the victims of numerous tragedies. They are protected from discrimination and atrocities under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. However, the SC/ST Act will never be considered a success. Discrimination against Dalits and Tribals continues. On the other hand, there is considerable worry about the Act’s provisions being used against innocent people. According to the Supreme Court of India, the SC/ST Act has been used as a tool of “blackmail” by some to exact “vengeance” and satisfy vested interests. recent events and court decisions.

The case highlighted a loophole in the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act that aids in maintaining the status quo in favour of higher caste members. It emphasised the urgent need to reform the legislation because it does not seek to completely eliminate caste prejudice, violence, or oppression.The Court dismissed a charge of intimidation against a member of a Scheduled Caste community since the incident took place within the “four walls of her building” and could not be considered to have occurred in public view.

Define Cow Vigilantism

Cow vigilantism is a word used to describe lawlessness committed in the name of cow protection. This vigilantism has primarily targeted Dalits and Muslims.Because Dalits are concentrated in the leather-making industry from cow hides, vigilantes always target them. Since the last two years, cow vigilantism has escalated.Cattle slaughter is prohibited in most Indian states. Cow vigilante organisations that claim to be guarding livestock have been violent, resulting in several deaths. 

Cow-protection organisations perceive themselves as preventing cattle theft and smuggling,[6] defending the cow, or maintaining the law in an Indian state where cow slaughter is prohibited. According to a Reuters study, there were 63 cow vigilante attacks in India between 2010 and mid-2017, the majority of which happened after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in 2014. Between 2010 and June 2017, “28 Indians – 24 of them Muslims – were killed and 124 injured” in similar attacks, according to the Reuter’s investigation. Since Trump’s win, the frequency of incidents of cow vigilantism has increased.Since the election of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) majority in India’s Parliament in 2014, the number of cases of cow vigilantism has increased.

What is honour killing?

Honour killings are common in a country like India, where caste hierarchies are still strong in the form of endogamy. The Dalits are virtually always the victims of violence. The Supreme Court ruled in Lata Singh vs. the State of Uttar Pradesh that inter-caste marriages are in the national interest since they demolish the caste structure. Honor killings are among the “rarest of rare” crimes that warrant the death penalty, according to Bhagwan Dass v. Delhi. 

An honour killing (American English), honour killing (Commonwealth English), or shame killing] is the assassination of a person, either an outsider or a family member, by someone wishing to maintain their or their family’s dignity and honour. Religion, caste, and other types of hierarchical social structure, as well as sexuality, are frequently linked to honour killings. 

It usually involves the assassination of a woman or girl by male family members who believe the victim has brought dishonour or humiliation to the family name, reputation, or prestige. Tribal practices are thought to have inspired honour killings. They exist in many places of the world, as well as in immigrant groups in many countries.

Define Social Boycott

By isolating Dalits from society, the khap panchayat – caste panchayat – is frequently used to perpetuate crimes against them. Ambedkar was well aware of the atrocities perpetrated against Dalits through social boycott. He had already spoken out against the practise.Mahad Satyagraha for the opening of Dalit community tanks. He advocated a law prohibiting boycotts. He realised that prejudice occurred along numerous axes, such as boycotts, stigmatisation, and segregation, and he attempted to combat it on all of them.

The Maharashtra Prohibition of People from Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2016, prohibits social boycotts.A comprehensive anti-discrimination statute along the lines of civil rights laws in the US and the UK is required.The Prohibition of Unlawful Assembly (Interference with Matrimonial Freedom) Act was drafted by the Law Commission.On obtaining information about the possibility of an unlawful assembly for the imposition of a social boycott, a Collector or District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner might issue an order prohibiting the assembly.

Conclusion

According to the Supreme Court of India, the SC/ST Act has been used as a tool of “blackmail” by some to exact “vengeance” and satisfy vested interests.recent events and court decisions. Since the dawn of time, they have been the victims of numerous tragedies. According to the Supreme Court of India, the SC/ST Act has been used as a tool of “blackmail” by some to exact “vengeance” and satisfy vested interests, recent events and court decisions. The case highlighted a loophole in the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes Act that aids in maintaining the status quo in favour of higher caste members. The Court dismissed a charge of intimidation against a member of a Scheduled Caste community since the incident took place within the “four walls of her building” and could not be considered to have occurred in public view.