New Delhi Chronicle Staff Reporter
Ahmedabad:The National Helpline Against Atrocities (NHAA), a toll-free grievance redressal platform for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, has recorded a staggering 15,303 complaints from Gujarat over the past five years, official data presented in the Rajya Sabha reveals.
The helpline, reachable on 14566, is designed to provide legal awareness and facilitate complaint registration for atrocities against SC/ST members. However, figures show an alarming escalation, particularly between 2022 and 2023, signalling a deepening social justice crisis in the state.
Complaint Spike Raises Red Flags
Data tabled by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in response to a query from Congress MP Randeep Surjewala shows:
• 2020: 191 complaints
• 2021: 705 complaints
• 2022: 3,755 complaints (nearly fivefold jump)
• 2023: 7,432 complaints (almost double the previous year)
• 2024: 2,144 complaints
• 2025 (till July 31): 1,076 complaints
While numbers dipped after 2023, the five-year total stands at 15,303 grievances, underscoring persistent caste-based atrocities and systemic challenges.
FIRs and Case Resolutions
The Centre reported that, as of July 31, 2025, Gujarat’s NHAA complaints translated into 223 FIRs, of which 221 cases were resolved and only two remain pending. This raises questions over whether the rapid closure of cases reflects genuine justice delivery or procedural disposal.
National Context
Placing Gujarat in the national picture, the government disclosed that, as of July 30, 2021, the NHAA had logged 6,34,066 calls across India. Gujarat’s sharp rise in complaints stands out against this backdrop, pointing to both improved awareness and enduring systemic discrimination.
Social Justice Challenge
Experts note that the surge in complaints could indicate a dual reality: increased awareness of legal rights among SC/ST communities and an ongoing prevalence of caste-based discrimination. Despite awareness campaigns, the data suggests Gujarat faces an uphill battle in ensuring safety, equality, and justice for its marginalised citizens.
