UP has highest number of cases of atrocities against dalits: Union minister Ramdas Athawale

CHENNAI: Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of cases of atrocities against dalits, Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment Ramdas Athawale said on Saturday.
"Being the largest state, Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of cases of atrocities against dalits followed by Rajasthan. Even in Tamil Nadu, there are a significant number of cases of atrocities against dalits," Athawale said while responding to a question at a press conference in Chennai.
"Though I do not have the exact number of cases registered in states, 60,000 atrocity cases are registered across the country every year," said Athawale.
Asked about the delay in finding the perpetrators in Vengaivayal incident in Tamil Nadu where human excreta were mixed in drinking water consumed by dalits, Athawale said the Union government was closely watching the developments.
"Though the Union government is closely monitoring the developments in Vengaivayal, only peace among communities can prevent such incidents. We have expressed concerns about the atrocities against dalits in Tamil Nadu and asked chief minister M K Stalin to convene an all-party meeting to discuss the issue," said Athawale.
Asked whether states could undertake a caste census, Athawale said there was no provision for states to take a caste census. "Only the Union government has the power to do caste census. However, due to technical difficulties, we can’t undertake a census at present," said Athawale.
Asked about the solution for caste atrocities against dalits, Ramadas said inter-caste marriages could prevent them.
"In the long run, inter-caste marriages can prevent caste atrocities against dalits. Around 1.5 lakh inter-caste marriages are happening every year (across the country), and we (the Union government) are giving Rs 2.5 lakh for every inter-caste marriage couple," said Athawale.