Supreme Court Issues Landmark Ruling on Caste Discrimination in Prisons

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, October 3, 2024, New Delhi: In a historic ruling, the Supreme Court of India declared that caste discrimination will not be tolerated within prison systems, emphasizing that such practices only serve to deepen societal divisions. This decision is expected to prompt significant reforms in the distribution of work and other operational manuals in jails across the country.

A Division Bench led by the Chief Justice stated, "The allocation of work in jails based on caste is a violation of Article 15 of the Constitution, which prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion, caste, gender, or place of birth. It is disheartening to see such discrimination persist in our society."

Previously, prison manuals reserved menial tasks, such as cleaning and sanitation, for lower castes, while higher castes were assigned roles like cooking and serving food. The Supreme Court's ruling mandates an immediate overhaul of these practices, directing state governments to amend their manuals accordingly.

Furthermore, the court stated that there is no need to record a prisoner's caste when registering their names, promoting a more equitable approach within the judicial system.

This landmark judgment is expected to foster a more inclusive environment in prisons and challenge the entrenched caste hierarchies that have long influenced societal norms. The ruling marks a significant step toward ensuring equality and justice for all individuals, regardless of their background.