Despite Maharashtra being the land of social reformers like Jyotirao Phule, Shahu Maharaj and B. R. Ambedkar, caste-based violence and atrocities against Dalits still remain a serious social issue. Government data, especially from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), shows that crimes against Scheduled Castes (SC) and Dalit women continue to be reported across several districts of Maharashtra.
This article analyzes official statistics, district-wise trends, and the condition of Dalit women facing caste-based violence in Maharashtra.
1. Government Data: Atrocities Against Dalits in Maharashtra
According to the NCRB “Crime in India” report, Maharashtra consistently ranks among the states with a high number of atrocities registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Key Statistics (NCRB 2022)
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2,743 cases of atrocities against Scheduled Castes were registered in Maharashtra.
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Maharashtra ranked 6th among Indian states in crimes against Dalits.
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In 2020 – 2,569 cases and 2021 – 2,503 cases were registered, showing a rise in 2022.
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742 cases were registered against Scheduled Tribes.
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These crimes included:
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76 murders
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163 cases of assault on women
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42 cases of sexual harassment against Dalit women.
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These numbers represent only registered crimes, meaning the real number of incidents may be higher due to underreporting.
2. Districts With Highest Crimes Against Dalits in Maharashtra
Analysis of police and government records shows that some regions repeatedly report a higher number of cases.
Major districts / cities with significant cases
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Pune district / Pune city
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Mumbai
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Nagpur
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Solapur
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Beed
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Osmanabad
For example:
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Pune city recorded 61 cases of atrocities against Scheduled Castes in 2022.
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Mumbai recorded 58 cases and Nagpur 35 cases in the same year.
Earlier state data also indicated that:
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Pune division recorded the highest number of crimes against Dalits in Maharashtra in several years.
Older district analysis also showed:
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Solapur district ranked among the top districts with high numbers of Dalit atrocity cases.
These numbers highlight that both urban and rural areas face caste-based violence.
3. Atrocities Against Dalit Women
Dalit women face triple discrimination — based on caste, gender and economic status.
According to reports by Dalit rights organizations:
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Maharashtra ranked 4th in crimes against Dalit women and minor girls during 2014–2019.
Types of crimes reported include:
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Rape
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Sexual harassment
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Public humiliation
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Assault
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Forced social boycott
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Caste-based verbal abuse
Government data from earlier years also recorded:
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331 rape cases against Dalit women in 2015.
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Dozens of murder cases involving Dalit victims.
Many of these crimes occur in rural areas where caste hierarchy and land disputes are common causes of violence.
4. Low Conviction Rate: A Major Concern
One of the biggest issues is that very few cases lead to convictions.
According to data analysis:
Conviction rate in Maharashtra
For crimes against Scheduled Castes:
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2018 – 8.8%
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2019 – 7.2%
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2020 – 11.8%
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2021 – 10.7%
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2022 – 8.9%
Thousands of cases remain pending in courts.
Reasons for low conviction rates include:
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Weak police investigation
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Social pressure on victims
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Delayed court trials
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Compromise forced on victims
5. Historical Incidents of Caste Violence in Maharashtra
Maharashtra has also witnessed several tragic incidents related to caste violence.
One well-known case is the Ramabai killings (1997) in Mumbai, where police firing during protests resulted in the deaths of 10 Dalit people and injuries to many others.
Such incidents highlight the deep structural issues related to caste discrimination.
6. Government Laws and Protection
India has several laws to prevent caste violence, including:
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SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
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Protection of Civil Rights Act
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Special courts for atrocity cases
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Compensation schemes for victims
Under government rules, compensation to victims of caste violence can range from ₹85,000 to ₹8.25 lakh depending on the severity of the crime.
However, reports show that compensation is often delayed or not paid in many cases.
7. The Way Forward
To reduce atrocities against Dalits in Maharashtra, experts suggest:
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Strict enforcement of the SC/ST Atrocities Act
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Faster investigation and special courts
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Police sensitization on caste discrimination
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Protection of Dalit women
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Education and social awareness programs
The ideas and movements inspired by reformers like continue to emphasize equality, dignity and justice for all communities.
Conclusion
Government data clearly shows that caste-based violence remains a serious challenge in Maharashtra. While laws exist to protect marginalized communities, implementation gaps and social discrimination continue to cause injustice.