UP Govt Orders Removal Of Caste References From Police Records And Public Spaces After HC Order

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has moved to erase caste references from police paperwork and public signboards, acting on directions from the Allahabad High Court.

An order issued by Acting Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar said caste details will no longer be included in FIRs, arrest memos, or charge sheets. The purpose of this decision is to promote equality in society and curb caste-based discrimination. Instead, officials will record parents’ names.

Caste slogans or symbols painted on police stations, vehicles, and notice boards must also be scrubbed off according to the order. The government has, at the same time, barred caste-based rallies and warned of tighter checks on social media posts that push such divisions.

Kumar said concerns had been growing over the way routine mention of caste in police records was fuelling social friction.

A bench of Justice Vinod Diwaker, in a recent High Court judgment described the practice as a "legal fallacy" and "identity profiling", stating that it undermines constitutional morality and poses a "serious challenge" to constitutional democracy in India.

The Court had pressed the state to act on the matter and issued multiple directions to the UP Government, including the removal of all entries related to caste or tribe from all police forms, including crime details forms, arrest/court surrender memos, and police final reports.

The Court had also ordered that the caste column next to the names of accused persons on notice boards in all police stations should be removed with immediate effect. It had also asked to remove signboards glorifying caste or declaring areas as caste-specific areas or properties.

Acting upon the court's directions, the order issued by the acting Chief Secretary made it clear that laws like the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, where caste identification is legally required, will remain unchanged. To carry out the order, police rules will be amended and a new standard operating procedure drafted. Officials say the step is aimed at improving transparency in the police system while sending a wider message of equality and social unity.

Also Read

1. Caste Glorification 'Anti-National', Remove Such References From Public Docs: Allahabad HC To UP Govt In Key Judgment
2. Women From Political Dynasties Mark Presence In Uttar Pradesh Politics