An assessment of the crimes against scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in contemporary India from the lens of Ambedkar’s concept of social justice

India’s constitutional framework is grounded in equality, dignity, and social justice, yet caste-based violence against Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) remains persistent across regions. This study examines patterns of crimes against SCs and STs using state-level National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2019-2021 and interprets them through Ambedkar’s concept of social justice. Using a descriptive and comparative approach, the analysis combines interstate concentration, crime rates, growth trends, and spatial distribution. The findings show that crimes against SCs remain substantially higher in absolute terms and are concentrated in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar. In contrast, crimes against STs are lower in total numbers but more regionally concentrated in central India. Crime-rate analysis indicates higher intensity in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for both groups, while growth trends vary unevenly across states and over time. Since NCRB data reflect reported cases, the observed patterns may also capture differences in reporting practices and institutional responsiveness. Collectively, the findings indicate uneven realisation of legal protection, material opportunity, and social dignity across regions, underscoring the need for stronger institutional enforcement and region-specific policy responses to address persistent caste and region-based violence in contemporary India.