Dip in crimes on dalits, not much to cheer

The country recorded a marginal fall in atrocities against Dalits in 2010 over the previous year. The conviction rate for atrocities improved by 5.5%, but what alarms is the high pendency rate of 78.7%.

The country recorded a marginal fall in atrocities against Dalits in 2010 over the previous year. The conviction rate for atrocities improved by 5.5%, but what alarms is the high pendency rate of 78.7%.

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Though the Mayawati government ensured a drop in atrocities on SCs, evident by a fall of 1,189 cases over 2009, UP still tops the chart for such cases. The state recorded 6,272 cases forming 19.2% of the total 32,569 cases.

The figures were revealed on Tuesday at a conference of state home and social justice ministers on atrocities against Dalits.

Minister for social justice and empowerment Mukul Wasnik expressed concern over “dismal” rate of convictions. “Central and state governments have to take corrective steps,” Wasnik said.

Home minister P Chidambaram said untouchability continues to haunt society in different forms. “Dalits were denied entry into temples 40 years ago and now they were denied access to police station. The basic problem is that we continue to regard them as children of lesser god,” he said