Jammu Kashmir Records Minimal Crimes Against Scheduled Castes in Three Years | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has recorded a small number of crimes against Scheduled Castes (SCs) over the past three years, according to official data presented in the Lok Sabha.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment provided the figures in response to an unstarred question raised by Lok Sabha member Anita Nagarsingh Chouhan. The data shows 13 cases were registered in 2021, 11 in 2022, and 26 in 2023, indicating a slight increase in the most recent year. Of the 2023 cases, ten were charge-sheeted, signalling the initiation of formal legal proceedings.

A district-wise analysis reveals that incidents occurred in only a few districts. In 2023, Doda reported two cases, Udhampur three, and Kathua, Rajouri, Reasi, Samba, and Poonch recorded one each. In 2022, cases were mainly in Jammu (11), Udhampur (4), Kishtwar (3), Kathua (1), Rajouri (1), and Reasi (1). For 2021, cases were reported in Udhampur (6), Kathua (4), Reasi (1), and Kishtwar (1). The remaining districts, including Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara, Budgam, Pulwama, Shopian, Ganderbal, and Kulgam, reported no cases during this period.

Specialised agencies in the Union Territory, such as the Cyber Crime Wing, Anti-Narcotics Task Force, Economic Offences Wing, and Vigilance, recorded no cases. Similarly, the Union Territory of Ladakh, including Leh and Kargil, reported zero crimes against SCs between 2021 and 2023.

At the national level, the government stated that 57,789 cases of crimes against Scheduled Castes were registered across India in 2023. It reiterated that legal safeguards, including the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, are actively implemented to ensure protection and justice for Scheduled Castes.