The hearing, to be held at the Town Hall here, will have the victims of atrocities describe the crimes committed against them and the obstacles they face while navigating through the state’s judicial system.

A seven-member jury, comprising representatives from the police, judiciary, Dalit rights activists and scribes will hear the stories. The jury will make recommendations to the state government on measures, which can be implemented to safeguard against the failures of the Act.

Dinesh Parmar, legal director of the NGO, said that at every step in their fight for rights, the Dalits face obstacles placed in their paths “by the agencies responsible for ensuring their rights.”

“This public hearing will target to provide the government and the citizens a snapshot of those obstacles and create pressure on the state government to effectively enforce the Act in the state,” he added.

He further said: “Despite the passage of the Act nearly two decades ago, Dalits remain effectively uprooted from a long list of atrocities committed against them by their upper caste neighbours.”