Even as Gujarat projects itself as a state of strong governance and public safety, official records suggest that Dalits and tribals continue to face persistent violence and discrimination.
Data from the last five years shows a sharp rise in cases registered under atrocities laws, raising concerns over law and order and the protection of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.
According to police records, more than 19,000 cases related to atrocities against SCs and STs have been registered in Gujarat over the past five years. Of these, 13,629 cases involve Dalit victims, while 3,553 incidents have been reported against members of tribal communities.
According to media reports, the figures indicate that, on average, more than three Dalits become victims of atrocities every day in the state. Activists and opposition leaders argue that the situation reflects deep-rooted social discrimination and the failure of the administration to ensure constitutional safeguards.
The issue of caste violence has long been a sensitive one in Gujarat. One of the most widely remembered incidents is the 2016 Una flogging case, where Dalit youths were publicly assaulted for skinning a dead cow. The incident triggered nationwide outrage and became a symbol of caste-based oppression.
In recent years too, Gujarat has witnessed several instances of violence and humiliation of Dalits, including assaults over social practices, disputes linked to caste identity, and attacks for asserting basic rights. Rights groups have repeatedly pointed out that many such crimes go unreported due to fear, social pressure, and intimidation.
The tribal community has also seen a steady rise in reported atrocities. In the last five years, 1,590 new cases were registered, while trials remain pending in all 3,553 cases recorded during the period. This suggests that, statistically, an atrocity against a tribal person is reported roughly every 48 hours.
A particularly worrying aspect highlighted by critics is the low conviction rate. In tribal atrocity cases, the conviction rate in the last three years has reportedly remained below one percent, raising questions about the effectiveness of investigations and prosecution.
District-wise, higher numbers of Dalit atrocity cases have been reported from Ahmedabad, Banaskantha, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Kutch and Junagadh.
The Congress has accused the BJP-led state government of failing to take the issue seriously. Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson Hiren Banker said that while more than 15,000 awareness programmes on rights have been organised across the country, Gujarat has seen very limited initiatives. He claimed that only six such programmes were held in 2018 and 2019, and none in 2020.
Opposition leaders argue that these figures represent only registered crimes, and that many more incidents remain outside police records because victims often hesitate to come forward.
As atrocities against vulnerable communities continue to be reported, calls are growing for stronger enforcement of laws, faster trials, and greater accountability to ensure safety and justice for Dalits and tribals in Gujarat.
Also Read: Gujarat: Jignesh Mevani Highlights Non-compliance of SC/ST Act Provisions https://www.vibesofindia.com/gujarat-jignesh-mevani-highlights-non-compliance-of-sc-st-act/
