Explain the reasons of caste violence in India with suitable examples.

Historical and Socio-Economic Roots

The foundations of caste violence lie in the historical power imbalances inherent in the caste system. For centuries, lower castes were subjected to systemic oppression, economic exploitation, and social exclusion. This historical legacy continues to shape present-day inequalities.

• Land Ownership & Economic Disparity: Historically, land ownership was concentrated in the hands of upper castes, leaving lower castes landless and dependent. This economic vulnerability continues to be a major driver of conflict.
• Social Exclusion & Discrimination: Practices like untouchability, though outlawed, persist in many rural areas, leading to social ostracism and denial of basic rights.
• Endogamy & Social Control: The practice of endogamy (marriage within the caste) reinforces caste boundaries and perpetuates social hierarchies, often leading to violence when inter-caste relationships are perceived as a threat to caste ‘purity’.

Political Mobilization and Caste Violence

While political mobilization can empower marginalized communities, it can also exacerbate caste tensions. The politicization of caste identity, often for electoral gains, can lead to increased competition and conflict.

• Identity Politics: Political parties often appeal to caste identities to secure votes, sometimes leading to the reinforcement of caste divisions.
• Rise of Caste-Based Organizations: The emergence of caste-based organizations, both for advocacy and for asserting dominance, can contribute to polarization and violence.
• Competition for Resources: Increased political awareness and demands for reservation and other affirmative action policies can trigger backlash from dominant castes who perceive these as threats to their privileges.

Failures of Legal and Institutional Mechanisms

Despite the existence of legal frameworks aimed at protecting marginalized communities, their implementation remains weak, and justice is often delayed or denied.

• The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989: While intended to prevent atrocities against SCs and STs, its implementation is often hampered by police inaction, lack of evidence, and social biases within the justice system.
• Lack of Effective Enforcement: Weak enforcement of laws prohibiting caste discrimination and violence allows perpetrators to act with impunity.
• Social Biases in Law Enforcement: Police and judicial officials often exhibit biases against lower castes, leading to inadequate investigation and prosecution of cases.

Specific Examples of Caste Violence

Numerous instances of caste violence demonstrate the severity and persistence of the problem.

Incident	Year	Details
Khairlanji Massacre	2006	Four Dalit women were brutally raped and murdered by upper-caste men in Khairlanji village, Maharashtra, highlighting the extreme vulnerability of Dalit women to caste-based sexual violence.
Hathras Gangrape Case	2020	A Dalit woman was gang-raped and brutally assaulted in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh. The subsequent handling of the case by the authorities, including the hurried cremation of the victim, sparked widespread protests.
Una Flogging Incident	2016	Dalit men were publicly flogged by ‘Gau Rakshaks’ (cow vigilantes) in Una, Gujarat, for allegedly skinning a dead cow, exposing the intersection of caste and religious vigilantism.

Intersectionality of Caste with Other Forms of Discrimination

Caste-based violence often intersects with other forms of discrimination, such as gender, class, and religion, creating multiple layers of vulnerability.

• Dalit Women: Dalit women are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence and discrimination, facing both caste and gender-based oppression.
• Adivasi Communities: Adivasi communities often face violence related to land rights and displacement due to development projects.