Question

Which of the following legislations is meant for SC/ST?

• A. Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
• B. Forest Rights Act, 2006
• C. Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955
• D. All the above

Answer 1

Answer:

D. All the above

A) Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (SC/ST PoA Act)

• Purpose: This Act was specifically enacted to prevent the commission of offenses of atrocities against members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes by persons not belonging to these groups. It aims to provide for special courts for the trial of such offenses and for the relief and rehabilitation of the victims.

• Meant for SC/ST: Yes, explicitly. The entire premise of this Act is to protect SCs and STs from caste-based discrimination and violence.

B) Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA)

• Purpose: The full name of this Act is "The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006". It was enacted to recognize and vest the forest rights and occupation in forest land in forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers who have been residing in such forests for generations but whose rights could not be recorded. It seeks to undo historical injustices.

• Meant for SC/ST: Yes, primarily for Scheduled Tribes and also for "other traditional forest dwellers" who have historically relied on forests.

C) Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 (PCRA)

• Purpose: This Act was enacted to prescribe punishment for the "preaching and practice of untouchability" and for the enforcement of any disability arising therefrom, as mandated by Article 17 of the Indian Constitution which abolished untouchability. While it doesn't explicitly use "SC/ST" in its title, the practice of untouchability predominantly affects the Scheduled Castes.