Question

Under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which among the following are considered offences?
A. Intentionally insulting a member
B. Providing equal wages
C. Social boycott
D. Unintentional overlooking
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. A & B Only
• B. B & C Only
• C. A & C Only
• D. B & D Only

Hint:

The SC/ST Act mainly punishes intentional caste-based discrimination, humiliation, violence, and social exclusion.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept:

• The SC/ST (PoA) Act, 1989 was enacted to prevent commission of offenses of atrocities against the members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
• It lists specific actions by non-SC/ST members that are punishable, aiming to protect the dignity and social rights of these communities.

Step 1: Evaluate Statement A
Section 3(1)(r) of the Act specifically makes it an offense to intentionally insult or intimidate with intent to humiliate a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe in any place within public view. Thus, A is an offense.

Step 2: Evaluate Statement B
Providing equal wages is a positive legal and constitutional requirement. It is not an offense; rather, denying equal wages or paying less based on caste would be a violation of labor laws and potentially this Act. Thus, B is not an offense.

Step 3: Evaluate Statement C
The 2015 amendment to the Act explicitly included "Social or Economic Boycott" as a punishable atrocity under Section 3(1)(bc). This protects members from being isolated or denied services by the community based on their caste. Thus, C is an offense.

Step 4: Evaluate Statement D
The Act generally requires "intent" or a specific overt act of atrocity. "Unintentional overlooking" lacks the mens rea or the specific prohibited action required to constitute a criminal offense under this specialized penal law. Thus, D is not an offense.

Step 5: Final Decision
Since A and C are the only listed offenses, the correct option is (C).