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.
