The letter said that most state governments, including Karnataka, lack the political and administrative will to implement the SC-ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and the Protection of Civil Rights (PCR) Acts. According to government data, the conviction rate in Karnataka from 2012 to 2024 has been only 2.47%. Immediate and effective action is expected in Congress-ruled states like Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal Pradesh.
Mumbai- The conviction rate in cases of atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC-ST) in Karnataka was less than 1% in 2024, which is the lowest in the country. Regarding this worrying situation, Babasaheb Ambedkar National Association of Engineers (BANAE) has written a letter to Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi demanding immediate intervention. In his letter, BANAE national president Nagsen Sonare said that the Union Home Ministry had issued a consultation on July 2, 2024, which provided directions for effective implementation of the SC-ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and the Protection of Civil Rights (PCR) Act, such as special courts, special police stations, special training for police and judges, collection of evidence in every case of atrocities, filing of chargesheet within 60 days, police protection to victims and witnesses, immediate relief and rehabilitation, public awareness about the PCR and POA Act, training on the Indian Constitution and rule of law. This consultation was sent to the Chief Secretaries, Home Secretaries and Directors General of Police of all states on July 3, 2024, based on the 27th National Review Meeting held on November 21, 2023.
However, Sonare wrote in the letter that most state governments, including Karnataka, lack the political and administrative will to implement these Acts. According to government data, the conviction rate in Karnataka from 2012 to 2024 has been a mere 2.47%. A recent newspaper report has revealed that the conviction rate in 2024 will be less than 1%.
Sonare has requested Rahul Gandhi to direct the Home Secretary, Director General of Police and Directorate of Social Welfare (DCRE) of Karnataka to fully implement the Home Ministry’s advisory and other advisories issued since 2011. This will increase the conviction rate and protect the dignity, life and liberty of the SC-ST community.
Sonare also suggested that action should be taken against officials who are negligent in the implementation of the POA and PCR Act. He proposed that a special column be added by the Social Welfare Minister in the Annual Confidential Report (ACR) of IAS, IPS and State Service officers, evaluating their performance in the implementation of these Acts. This will increase the pressure on the officers to implement these Acts seriously.
The letter expects immediate and effective action in Congress-ruled states like Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal Pradesh. “We want concrete steps to be taken in these states to stop atrocities against the SC-ST community and punish the culprits,” Sonare said.
Senior journalist and Dalit leader Indudhara Honnapura recently welcomed the decision to set up special police stations in Karnataka, but warned that these stations have to work effectively. “These stations should be provided with adequate infrastructure and funds. Officers with social commitment should be appointed in them, and not made a place for punitive transfers. This step will be meaningful only if it is implemented effectively,” she said.
Banaye has also attached copies of the Home Ministry’s consultation and newspaper reports with his letter. The organisation has appealed to Rahul Gandhi to take immediate action in the matter and ensure protection of the rights of the SC-ST community.
Courtesy : Geetha Sunil Pillai, Hindi News