AHMEDABAD: The toll-free number of National Helpline Against Atrocities (NHAA) 14566 has logged a staggering 15,303 complaints from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe members over the past five years.
Designed for grievance redressal and awareness on legal safeguards, the helpline has witnessed an alarming spike, with cases jumping from 3,755 in 2022 to 7,432 in 2023 nearly doubling in just a year, signalling a deeply troubling trend.
The startling disclosure was made by the Centre in the Rajya Sabha when it was responding to a question by Congress MP Randeep Surjewala about the state-wise data on complaints received through the National Helpline Against Atrocities (NHAA).
The Gujarat numbers stood out as both alarming and telling of a deepening crisis. Government records show that Gujarat registered 191 complaints in 2020, which then jumped nearly fourfold to 705 in 2021. This was followed by an explosive surge in 2022, with 3,755 complaints flooding the helpline, and the momentum only intensified in 2023 when cases doubled to a staggering 7,432. Although the tally dropped to 2,144 in 2024 and further to 1,076 in 2025 (till reporting date), the cumulative count over five years still touched a massive 15,303 underscoring the scale of grievances in the state.
The Centre further informed that as of July 31, 2025, Gujarat’s NHAA complaints translated into 223 FIRs, with 221 cases resolved and only two still pending raising questions on both the efficiency and adequacy of follow-up action.
Placing Gujarat’s data in the national perspective, the government disclosed that, across India, the NHAA had received a staggering 6,34,066 calls as of July 30, 2021.
This broader backdrop makes Gujarat’s steep complaint trajectory all the more noteworthy, suggesting that while awareness and reporting may have improved, the persistence of atrocities and grievances continues to cast a long shadow over the state’s social justice framework.
NHAA complaints skyrocket in Gujarat
Helpline 14566 Logs 15,303 Grievances in 5 Years
• The Helpline: The National Helpline Against Atrocities (NHAA) toll-free 14566 setup to aid SC/ST members with grievance redressal and legal awareness, has recorded an explosive rise in complaints from Gujarat.
• Nationwide Picture: As of July 30, 2021, the NHAA had received 6.34 lakh calls across India but Gujarat’s complaint surge stands out as a stark warning sign.
• State-by-State Shock: In the Rajya Sabha, replying to Congress MP Randeep Surjewala, the Centre tabled state-wise data, putting Gujarat in sharp focus.
The Numbers Tell the Story:
• 2020: 191 complaints
• 2021: 705 complaints
• 2022: 3,755 complaints / nearly a fivefold jump
• 2023: 7,432 complaints / almost double the previous year
• 2024: 2,144 complaints
• 2025 (till July 31): 1,076 complaints
The Five-Year Tally: Despite the recent dip, Gujarat’s total hit 15,303 complaints, underscoring a deep-rooted crisis.
From Complaints to Cases: Of these, 223 FIRs were filed, 221 resolved, and two pending raising questions on follow-up speed versus adequacy of justice.
The Big Picture: While rising numbers may partly reflect better awareness and reporting, the persistence and scale of grievances point to an ongoing social justice challenge that Gujarat has yet to decisively address.