Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act

The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act is Indian legislation enacted to prevent and address discrimination, violence, and atrocities committed against historically marginalized communities—namely, Scheduled Castes (Dalits) and Scheduled Tribes (Adivasis). It provides legal measures to effectively protect their rights, punish offenders swiftly, and promote social justice. The Act also defines specific actions as criminal offenses, ensures stricter punishment, and aims to eradicate social discrimination and cruelty faced by these communities.