Acting on the directives of the Allahabad High Court, the Uttar Pradesh government on Monday ordered a complete ban on caste-based references in police records and at public places to end caste discrimination in the state.
Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar issued instructions to all departments, directing that caste will no longer be mentioned in First Information Reports (FIRs), arrest memos, or other police documents. The names of parents will instead be used for identification purposes.
The order also instructs that caste symbols, slogans, and references exhibited on police station notice boards, vehicles, or signboards have to be immediately withdrawn.
Caste-based rallies have also been banned throughout the state with the police having the responsibility of maintaining strict vigilance on social media platforms to avoid breaches.
The government has explained, though, that there are exemptions in instances filed under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, where the identification of a person's caste is still required by law.
To effectively implement the High Court’s directive, the state will make necessary amendments to its Standard Operating Procedures and police manuals.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a Janta Darshan in Gorakhpur today, where he listened to the grievances of local residents. The Chief Minister also used the platform X to extend greetings on the occasion of Navratri, writing: "Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all devotees and residents of the state on the sacred festival of worship and adoration of Maa Bhagwati Jagadamba, ‘Shardiya Navratri’! May Mother bless everyone’s life with happiness, health, and prosperity; this is the prayer. Happy Navratri! Jai Mata Ki!”
Earlier, on September 21, the Chief Minister had announced that his government has engaged 300 intellectuals, including retired chief secretaries, secretaries, deputy secretaries, and vice-chancellors, to help frame a roadmap for a “Developed India-Developed Uttar Pradesh 2047.” These experts are visiting academic institutions across the state to hold discussions and gather ideas on the state’s development goals.
Also read: Yogi Adityanath becomes Uttar Pradesh’s longest-serving CM
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