Question

The (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 was enacted to provide justice to which of the following communities?
1. Tribals and Dalits
2. Only Minorities
3. Dalits and Minorities
4. Minorities and Tribals

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : Tribals and Dalits

Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989:

• The Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act is popularly known as POA, the SC/ST Act, the Prevention of Atrocities Act, or simply the Atrocities Act.
• The SC/ST Act was enacted on September 9, 1989. The rules for the Act were notified on March 31, 1995.
• The SC/ST Act lists 22 offences relating to various patterns or behaviours inflicting criminal offenses and breaking the self-respect and esteem of the scheduled castes and tribes community. This includes denial of economic, democratic, and social rights, discrimination, exploitation, and abuse of the legal process.
• According to the SC/ST Act, the protection is provided from social disabilities such as a denial of access to certain places and to use a customary passage, personal atrocities like forceful drinking or eating of inedible food sexual exploitation, injury, etc, atrocities affecting properties, malicious prosecution, political disabilities, and economic exploitation.
• For speedy trial, Section 14 of the SC/ST Act provides for a Court of Session to be a Special Court to try offences under this Act in each district.
• The prime objective of the SC/ST Act is to deliver justice to the marginalized through proactive efforts, giving them a life of dignity, self-esteem, and a life without fear, violence, or suppression from the dominant castes.

Hence, The (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 was enacted to provide justice to the Tribals and Dalits.