Public Interest Litigation and the Protection of Dalit Rights: A Pathway to Social Justice in India

Abstract Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has emerged as a transformative instrument of judicial activism in India, enabling the courts to protect the rights of disadvantaged and marginalized communities, particularly Dalits. By relaxing the traditional rule of locus standi, PIL has opened the doors of justice to those who lack economic resources, legal literacy, or social power to challenge violations of their fundamental rights. This paper examines the role of PIL in advancing social justice through landmark judgments, constitutional interpretation, and interventions against caste-based discrimination, atrocities, social exclusion, and institutional bias. Through an analysis of historical developments, constitutional provisions, and significant case studies—including Hussainara Khatoon, Vishaka, Tehseen Poonawalla, and In Re: Discrimination inside Prisons—the study highlights how PIL has helped operationalize the constitutional ideals of equality, dignity, and non-discrimination for Dalit communities. While PIL has strengthened democratic accountability and expanded access to justice, challenges remain in ensuring effective implementation, eliminating structural inequalities, and translating judicial pronouncements into sustainable social change. The paper concludes that PIL continues to serve as a vital pathway to social justice, offering hope for a more inclusive and equitable Indian society.