New Delhi: The issue of discrimination against Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) was raised in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, December 3, by Janata Dal (United) MP Alok Kumar Suman through a starred question addressed to Virendra Kumar, the minister of social justice and empowerment. Kumar announced that no central data is maintained on discrimination in educational institutions.
The query focused on whether such incidents have risen over the past decade, particularly in central institutions such as universities, IITs, AIIMS and other public sector institutions. Responding to the question, Kumar referred to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), highlighting an increase in cases registered under crimes/atrocities against SCs and STs from 2013 to 2022.
Kumar noted the enactment of two Acts to prevent and address discrimination: the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, which aims to penalise practices arising from untouchability, and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, which seeks to prevent atrocities and ensure the safety and dignity of SCs and STs. “The provisions of the SC/ST (PoA) Act, 1989 are applicable in Central Offices/Institutions also,” noted Kumar.
Kumar said that the department of social justice and empowerment operates a centrally sponsored scheme and a national helpline against atrocities for SCs and STs for the implementation of the Acts. However, he stated that “data regarding discrimination against SCs/STs in the Educational Institutions and Public sector Units is not centrally maintained.”
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Kumar detailed steps taken to combat discrimination in higher education, including the establishment of SC/ST students’ cells, equal opportunity cells, grievance redressal committees and appointment of liaison officers in higher educational institutions. He stated that guidelines have been issued to safeguard the interests of SC/ST students, including “strict norms” from the All India Council for Technical Education.