The Uttar Pradesh government has taken a major decision to reduce caste-based discrimination in the state. Now, a person's caste will not be mentioned alongside their name in police records, public places, or on social media.
Lucknow: The state government has prohibited the mention of caste in public places with the aim of eradicating caste-based discrimination. This step was taken following an order from the Allahabad High Court, which directed the government not to mention people's caste alongside their names in police records and public spaces.
In this regard, Acting Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar has issued necessary instructions to all Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Director Generals of Police, Additional Director Generals of Police (Law and Order), Additional Director Generals of Police Crime, Police Commissioners, all District Magistrates, SSPs, and SPs, to ensure that this order can be implemented at all levels.
New Rule Implemented Following High Court Order
The Allahabad High Court recently ordered that caste should not be mentioned in police records, FIRs, and public places. Based on this order, the state government has issued directives. Acting Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar has instructed all Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Director General of Police, District Magistrates, and SSPs/SPs to take necessary steps.
- The caste of the accused will not be written in FIRs and arrest memos.
- Caste-based symbols and slogans will be removed from police notice boards, vehicles, and public signboards.
- Caste-based rallies and programs will be completely banned.
- Sharing caste-related content on social media is prohibited.
- The mention of caste will continue only in special cases, such as those under the SC/ST Act.
Impact on Panchayat and Assembly Elections
This order comes at a time when preparations for Panchayat elections are in full swing in Uttar Pradesh. This will directly impact the caste-based political strategies of parties like the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Specifically, the SP is active in PDA (Pichda, Dalit, Alpasankhyak - Backward, Dalit, Minority) politics, while the BSP has prominently campaigned for the interests of the backward and Dalit classes in past elections. Now, both parties may have to change their upcoming electoral strategies.
Changes in Police Records and Public Places
- FIRs will now mention the names of the parents of the accused and witnesses.
- Caste-based symbols will be removed from notice boards, vehicles, and government signboards at police stations.
- Regulations and SOPs will be amended to ensure that such boards and announcements are not displayed in the future.
- Citing High Court orders, the government stated that this step has been taken to ensure an inclusive and constitutional system in the state.
The Uttar Pradesh government has instructed that IT rules be made stricter to prevent the spread of caste-based content on the internet and social media platforms. Additionally, there should be an easy system for citizens to report such content. The Allahabad High Court, in its 28-page order, clarified that in modern times, technical means are available for identification, thus mentioning caste is a divisive step for society.
The court suggested that caste eradication should be a central agenda in India's goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. For this, steps should be taken at both state and central levels in accordance with constitutional morality.
