SCs Denied Public Spaces Surge in Uttar Pradesh

Total cases (2023): 180 cases of denial of access to public spaces reported nationwide.
Uttar Pradesh share:
2018: ~68% of total cases
2019: ~80% of total cases
2022: >98% of all reported cases originated from Uttar Pradesh (173 out of 180).
Trend: Rising since 2017, driven largely by increased reporting and registration in UP.
ST cases: Significantly lower compared to SC cases across the country.

Caste‑based spatial segregation persists in many rural areas where dominant castes control temples, wells, cremation grounds, and village pathways.
Untouchability practices, though abolished by Article 17, continue informally, affecting access to water sources, religious sites, and other commons.
Economic dependence: Majority of rural SCs are land‑less labourers, making them vulnerable to intimidation by dominant land‑owning castes.

Highlights the gap between constitutional ideals and ground reality.
Signals the need for strengthened law‑enforcement, legal awareness, and institutional reforms to ensure equal access to public amenities.
Directly relates to social justice, rural development, and governance challenges—core themes of UPSC GS‑1 and GS‑2.

Article 15(2): Prohibits discrimination on grounds of caste in access to public places (shops, wells, roads, etc.).
Article 17: Abolishes untouchability; its practice is punishable.
Article 21: Right to life with dignity, interpreted to include freedom from social exclusion.
73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992: Reservation for SC/ST in Panchayati Raj Institutions to ensure participation in local governance.
SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989: Criminalises denial of entry to public places, temples, water sources, etc.
Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955: Provides safeguards against practices arising from untouchability.
National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC): Monitors safeguards and investigates complaints.
Key Judicial Pronouncements:
State of Karnataka v. Appa Balu Ingale (1995): Emphasised the objective of Article 17 to eradicate discriminatory caste practices.
Arumugam Servai v. State of Tamil Nadu (2011): Directed removal of spatial segregation such as the “two‑tumbler system”.

Spatial Justice: Locate Panchayat Bhavans, Anganwadis, PDS shops, wells in neutral or SC‑dominant areas.
Link Funds to Social Audits: Make Gram Sabha social audits mandatory; tie development grants to certification of no untouchability.
Official Accountability: Strict enforcement of Section 4 of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against negligent officials.
Exclusive Special Courts: Set up district‑level courts for speedy trials of atrocity cases.
Behavioural Change Campaigns: Promote constitutional values and reformist ideas of Ambedkar, Phule, and Periyar.

Criminalises caste‑based atrocities, including denial of access to public places, and provides special courts and victim protection.

Prohibits discrimination in access to public places maintained with public funds.

Supreme Court judgment in State of Karnataka v. Appa Balu Ingale (1995) significance?

Stressed that Article 17 aims to eliminate discriminatory caste practices lacking legal or moral basis.

Prepared for UPSC Civil Services Examination – both Prelims and Mains.