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Supreme Court Takes Bold Step to Eradicate Caste-Based Discrimination in Indian Prisons

In an important decision to stop caste-based discrimination, the Supreme Court of India instructed all states and union territories to update their prison rules to ensure equal treatment of all prisoners, regardless of their caste. The ruling was made by a panel led by Justice S. Ravindra Bhat in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by journalist Sukanya Shantha in the case "Sukanya Shantha v. Union of India W.P.(C) No. 1404/2023"

The PIL raised concerns about how prison work was assigned based on caste, a practice tied to deep-rooted societal bias. Shantha, who reported on the conditions of marginalised groups in prisons, pointed out that prisoners from lower castes were given menial jobs like cleaning, while those from upper castes were given easier or roles of leadership. She argued that this practice continues caste-based inequality inside prisons, violating the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India.

Key Guidelines from the Supreme Court

The Court ordered all states and union territories to take the following steps:

Update Prison Rules: The guidelines used to manage prisons must be updated within three months to remove any practices that discriminate based on caste. The new rules should follow the principles of equality and respect for everyone.
Stop Caste-Based Job Assignments: The Court made it clear that prison jobs must not be given based on an inmate's caste. Currently, people from marginalised castes are often unfairly assigned certain jobs, which reflects the bias in society. This must end right away.
Remove Caste Information from Records: The Court strongly ordered that caste details should no longer be recorded in prison documents. This change will help prevent discrimination in job assignments and ensure that prisoners are treated equally, regardless of their caste.
Regular Checks: Authorities must regularly inspect prisons to make sure the new rules are being followed. These inspections will ensure that prison staff treat inmates fairly and without caste bias.

Constitutional Requirements

The Court focused on the principles of equality found in Articles 14, Article 15, and Article 21 of the Constitution of India. These laws guarantee everyone the right to be treated equally, protect against discrimination, and ensure the right to life and personal freedom. The Court's decision pointed out that the current prison system violates these rights by promoting caste-based discrimination through how work is assigned and managed in prisons.

Justice Bhat highlighted that the Constitution does not allow any kind of discrimination, even in prisons where some rights are restricted due to punishment. He emphasised that a person’s dignity should not be harmed because of their caste, especially in prisons, which are meant to help people reform, not further mistreat them.

Broader Impact

This decision is an important step in fighting caste-based discrimination, not just in prisons but in Indian society overall. Caste has been used as a way to oppress people, and practices that support caste hierarchies in government-run places like prisons have faced strong criticism. By addressing this deep-rooted issue, the Court has shown that it is committed to establishing equality everywhere, as required by the Constitution.

This decision could also lead to more changes in other government-run institutions where discrimination based on caste still happens. Human rights activists see the ruling as a win for marginalised communities, who are often at the most at risk of being mistreated in the criminal justice system.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court's order to the states and union territories is an important step toward addressing caste-based discrimination in Indian prisons. By asking for changes in prison rules, stopping caste-based work assignments, and removing caste labels from prison records, the Court has taken a strong stand to promote equality and respect for all prisoners. This ruling is expected to have a big impact on making prisons fairer and more humane for everyone, regardless of their caste.

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Written by Seersha Chaudhuri

Driven legal professional with a BA LLB and a knack for writing and media reporting. Previously, I’ve crafted legal documents and managed court proceedings at Terkiana PC, focusing on immigration law. I’m also brushing up on my Spanish with Duolingo—learning a new language has never been this fun! Eager to blend my expertise in legal research with my passion for global policy and creative writing. Apart from being a professional, I am a full time lover of fish, dystopian fiction and Brooklyn 99.