UP Govt Orders Removal of Caste References from Police Records

The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered the immediate removal of all caste references from police records, public notices, and displays, following a September 16 Allahabad High Court ruling aimed at curbing caste-based discrimination. The directive, issued late Sunday by officiating Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar, also bans caste-based rallies and public events with political motives across the state, with strict monitoring of social media to prevent content promoting caste pride or hatred.

Vehicles displaying caste-related stickers or slogans will face fines under the Motor Vehicles Act. The court’s ruling in the Praveen Chetri vs. State of UP case prohibits mentioning the caste of accused persons in police documents, including registers, case memos, arrest records, and station notice boards.

The state’s Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) will be updated to remove caste fields, with officials instructed to leave such fields blank until the changes are implemented. Instead, police records will now include both parents’ names for identification. Additionally, authorities must remove signs or boards glorifying caste identities in towns and villages.

To ensure compliance, the government has mandated training for officials to raise awareness about the new policy and enforce it effectively. The order emphasizes swift action against individuals spreading caste-based enmity online, aiming to foster social harmony. The High Court’s directive described caste glorification as “anti-national” and a violation of constitutional principles, prompting the state to align its practices with these values ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.

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The move has sparked political debate, with Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav questioning its effectiveness in addressing deep-rooted caste discrimination. In a post on X, Yadav asked how the government would tackle societal practices like caste-based clothing, inquiries about caste during introductions, or discriminatory accusations. He called for broader measures to eradicate entrenched caste biases.

The government’s initiative marks a significant step toward reducing caste-based divisions, though its long-term impact on Uttar Pradesh’s socio-political landscape remains to be seen.

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