Cases of atrocities on Dalits continue to rise amid falling convictions

Cases of atrocities on STs rose from 5,582 in 2008 to 11,451 in 2015 while 6,568 cases were recorded in 2016

Even as nine people died on Monday during nationwide protests by the Dalit community over the recent “dilution” by the Supreme Court of the provisions of the Prevention of Atrocities against Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes Act, the Supreme Court refused to stay its order on Tuesday in an open court hearing. But anger in the Dalit community continues to simmer, which claims that its rights to a fair trial are being taken away.

A Business Standard analysis shows there could be an objective basis to the growing perception that atrocities on Dalits are increasing while the conviction rate in these cases is