Crime against SCs, STs up in BJP-ruled states, says Punjab FM Harpal Cheema

Finance Minister Harpal Cheema on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Centre, citing the recently released National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report for 2023, which reveals a disturbing surge in crime against Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), particularly in BJP-governed states.

Cheema expressed concern over the report that documents a staggering 28.8 per cent surge in crime against STs nationwide, with cases jumping from 10,064 in 2022 to 12,960 in 2023. While crime against SCs also saw an increase, with 57,789 cases registered in 2023, the geographical distribution of these crimes points a clear accusatory finger at the BJP’s governance track record, he added.

“The heartland of BJP power, Uttar Pradesh, leads the nation with 15,130 cases against SCs. It is closely followed by Rajasthan with 8,449 cases and Madhya Pradesh with 8,232 cases. These numbers are a damning indictment of the BJP’s priority,” he added.

Cheema said the report showed that a single BJP-governed state, Manipur, recorded the highest number of crimes against STs in the entire country with 3,399 cases, most of which were related to the devastating ethnic violence, including rioting and arson.