What is the issue?
The latest NCRB data calls for the governments to study the underlying causes for the crimes and focus on building a better inclusive society.
What do the findings reflect and call for?
- Police Reforms - Basic issues such as modernising the police, recruiting the right candidates and teaching them to uphold human rights should be given priority.
- The orders of the Supreme Court on police reforms issued in 2006 will have to be implemented in letter and spirit by all States.
- The police forces should comply with the directions of recording crimes with greater sensitivity.
- Genuine measures for a more transparent and socially accountable Ministerial superintendence over the police should be put in place.
- This would help eliminating the political interference in criminal justice delivery system and raise public confidence in its working.
- Urban - It is often argued that urban India, being a melting pot of communities and identities, is less oppressive towards Dalits.
- However, the data on atrocities against Dalits has proven this long-held view wrong.
- As, urban centres reflect to a large extent the social mores and power relations of rural hinterlands, instead of being an accommodative society.
- Evidently, Lucknow and Patna top the list of cities that have reported the highest percentage of atrocities against Dalits.
- Also, there is a distinct urban geography for violence against women.
- Evidently, Delhi and Mumbai have turned out to be the least safe cities for women.
- A progressive Constitution and numerous laws have empowered the Dalits, but these have not ended caste discrimination.
- In fact, the politicisation and empowerment of the Dalit community has resulted in a backlash with counter-mobilisations.
- This is certainly by communities that are reluctant to give up their social, economic and political privileges.
- Social development - Last year’s data indicate that there is a rise in the number of cases involving juveniles.
- Social development should thus be seriously focused as an instrument of reducing the crime rate.
- A focussed programme to universalise education and skills training would potentially keep juveniles from coming into conflict with the law.
Source: The Hindu, Indian Express
