UN Watchdog Urges India to Strengthen Protections for Tribal Peoples and Marginalized Castes Amid Rising Violence

Indian Devadasi women take part in a protest against social stigma, economic hardship and lack of access to education for Devadasi Dalit women and their children, in Bangalore, India, on August 20, 2026 [Jagadeesh Nv/EPA].

A United Nations watchdog has stated that India must enhance safeguards for tribal populations and disadvantaged castes facing extrajudicial killings, torture, and various forms of violence by law enforcement authorities. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) also emphasized that the world’s most populous nation must urgently address hate crimes directed at Bengali-speaking Muslims.

“The committee was gravely concerned about reports of large-scale violations perpetrated by law enforcement officials against ethnic and ethno-religious groups, Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, including Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, particularly Dalits, and non-citizens,” the panel declared in a release detailing its findings on Tuesday.

The reported abuses encompass racially motivated violence, excessive force application, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary and prolonged detention lacking due process, torture, mistreatment, and sexual violence. Consequently, the committee strongly urged India to investigate all such allegations and ensure perpetrators face justice.

In India, the caste system remains a primary determinant of social status, directly influencing access to educational opportunities, resources, and overall advancement. Grounded in historical social hierarchies, this framework categorizes Hindus according to their social standing and societal functions.

Comprising 18 independent rights experts, CERD monitors adherence to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination across the 182 nations party to the agreement. Established in 1969, the convention mandates that state parties eliminate racial discrimination, abolish segregation practices, and guarantee equality before the law.

Earlier this month, an Indian delegation led by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared before CERD for the country's first review since 2007. During the proceedings, the committee highlighted a surge in law enforcement operations targeting asylum seekers, migrants, Bengali-speaking Muslims, and Rohingya populations.

According to the committee, police identity checks and stops involving racial profiling have reportedly resulted in arbitrary arrests, detentions without due process, torture, and mistreatment. Furthermore, the panel raised alarms regarding the forced returns and deportations of individuals requiring international protection.

CERD urged Indian authorities to promptly tackle discrimination, hate speech, and hate crimes targeting these vulnerable groups, uphold their rights, and halt collective expulsions. While the opinions and recommendations put forth by CERD are non-binding, they carry substantial reputational weight.

Responding in a statement, India’s mission noted that during the review, the national delegation emphasized the country's “pluralism; diversity; scale and complexity; constitutional and legal framework and safeguards … as we continue our journey towards ensuring equality, dignity and opportunity for all Indians”.