In a path-breaking development, India's Supreme Court on Thursday (Oct 3) banned all caste-based discrimination in Indian jails, terming them as “unconstitutional.” The court calls for immediate reforms across all states and Union Territories (UTs) against the various jail manual provisions like scavenging and cleaning by the marginalised inmates, as this violates their right to dignity and equality.

The verdict was delivered by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, specifically addressing the entrenched discriminatory practices against marginalised communities, including scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST) and denotified tribes (DNTs) in Indian prisons.

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“The right to live with dignity extends even to the incarcerated. Not providing dignity to prisoners is a relic of the colonisers and pre-colonial mechanisms, where oppressive systems were designed to dehumanise and degrade those under the control of the State,” the SC bench said.

These discriminatory provisions are part of the pre-colonial-era Prisons Act of 1894, but they continue in independent India despite manuals and Acts framed by the Centre as recently as last year, the apex court found.&nbsp;

“The rule that a prisoner of a high caste be allowed to refuse food cooked by other castes is a legal sanction by the state authorities to untouchability and the caste system,” the bench, which included Justice J B&nbsp;Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra, said.

The provision that food is to be cooked by prisoners from a “suitable caste” allows jail officials to discriminate against the marginalised castes, it said.

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It frowned upon the imposition of work such as cleaning latrines and sweeping only on “Mether, Hari caste or Chandal” and similar castes, saying it amounted to “forced labour”. The top court condemned such practice, calling it a clear violation of human dignity.

“We therefore find that the impugned provisions are violative of Articles 14 (equality), 15 (non-discrimination), 17 (untouchability), 21 (life and liberty), and 23 (prohibition against forced labour),” the SC bench said.

The bench also asked the central government to make the necessary changes to the Model Prison Manual 2016 and the Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act 2023 within three months.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In a path-breaking development, India's Supreme Court on Thursday (Oct 3) banned all caste-based discrimination in Indian jails, terming them as “unconstitutional.

In a path-breaking development, India's Supreme Court on Thursday (Oct 3) banned all caste-based discrimination in Indian jails, terming them as “unconstitutional.” The court calls for immediate reforms across all states and Union Territories (UTs) against the various jail manual provisions like scavenging and cleaning by the marginalised inmates, as this violates their right to dignity and equality. The verdict was delivered by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, specifically addressing the entrenched discriminatory practices against marginalised communities, including scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST) and denotified tribes (DNTs) in Indian prisons. Also Read | Couple in India's UP dupes people of millions with promise of 'age reversal.' Here's what happened “The right to live with dignity extends even to the incarcerated. Not providing dignity to prisoners is a relic of the colonisers and pre-colonial mechanisms, where oppressive systems were designed to dehumanise and degrade those under the control of the State,” the SC bench said. These discriminatory provisions are part of the pre-colonial-era Prisons Act of 1894, but they continue in independent India despite manuals and Acts framed by the Centre as recently as last year, the apex court found. “The rule that a prisoner of a high caste be allowed to refuse food cooked by other castes is a legal sanction by the state authorities to untouchability and the caste system,” the bench, which included Justice J B Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra, said. The provision that food is to be cooked by prisoners from a “suitable caste” allows jail officials to discriminate against the marginalised castes, it said. Also Read | Pilgrims can now see Mount Kailash from inside Indian territory. Here's how It frowned upon the imposition of work such as cleaning latrines and sweeping only on “Mether, Hari caste or Chandal” and similar castes, saying it amounted to “forced labour”. The top court condemned such practice, calling it a clear violation of human dignity. “We therefore find that the impugned provisions are violative of Articles 14 (equality), 15 (non-discrimination), 17 (untouchability), 21 (life and liberty), and 23 (prohibition against forced labour),” the SC bench said. The bench also asked the central government to make the necessary changes to the Model Prison Manual 2016 and the Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act 2023 within three months. (With inputs from agencies)

India's Supreme Court scraps 'unconstitutional' laws that promote caste-based discrimination in jails

The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), an Indian government body, has recommended an increase in the reservation quota for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in public sector employment in Indian states of Punjab and West Bengal, the news agency PTI reported on Thursday (May 16).

The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), an Indian government body, has recommended an increase in the reservation quota for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in public sector employment in Indian states of Punjab and West Bengal, the news agency PTI reported on Thursday (May 16). At present, Punjab allocates 25 per cent of public employment positions to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and 12 per cent to OBCs. In an advisory, the NCBC proposed enhancing the OBC quota by an additional 13%, bringing the total OBC reservation in public employment to 25%. This adjustment would adhere to the Supreme Court's ceiling of up to 50 per cent reservation for socially and educationally backward classes. Also read | 'BJP will scrap Muslim reservation and give it to SC, ST, OBC,' asserts Amit Shah In West Bengal, the reservation quota for SCs is 22 per cent, for Scheduled Tribes (STs) is six per cent, and for OBCs is 17 per cent, concerning services and posts under the control of the state in establishments run or aided by the government. The NCBC said that in Bengal 17% reservation for the Other Backward Classes in respect of services and posts has been ensured. "Thus the total reservation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes for public employment comes to 45%," the commission added. Also watch | PM Modi & NCBC question Karnataka govt for giving all Muslims OBC reservation × The NCBC also observed that the remaining five per cent quota in public employment under the control of the state government may be enhanced concerning OBCs as per the ceiling up to 50 per cent in compliance with Supreme Court directions. The advisory said that the above decisions by the NCBC came following a review of the current reservation policies, oral statements and documentary evidence, aiming to align with the directives laid out by the Supreme Court in the Indra Sawhney case. (With inputs from agencies)

Centre recommends increase in reservation quota for OBCs in public employment in Punjab, West Bengal

A bill aiming to curtail caste-based discrimination, brought in the US state of California has cleared its first legislative hurdle. The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday voted in favour of the legislation setting it up for the next committee to evaluate it on other benchmarks.

A bill aiming to curtail caste-based discrimination, brought in the US state of California has cleared its first legislative hurdle. The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday voted in favour of the legislation setting it up for the next committee to evaluate it on other benchmarks. The bill was brought in last month by Senator Aisha Wahab - the first Muslim and Afghan American elected to the state legislature. After the committee's approval, Wahab said she had received death threats after proposing the legislation. “We’ve hit a nerve and exposed a form of discrimination many never even knew existed. Caste is an invisible shackle placed on people at birth. Those of us not raised in that system can’t possibly understand what it does to one’s psyche, the inter-generational trauma it causes," said Wahab who represents the Hayward district in northern California. Earlier, Wahab told BBC that she herself did not experience caste discrimination but was aware of the social evil because of the area she grew up in. "I've had friends tell me that their parents immigrated to this country because they belong to different castes and [their] families weren't accepting of that," Wahab was quoted as saying by the BBC. WATCH | Seattle bans caste discrimination: Cheers and celebrations pour in × What is the caste system? The caste system is an archaic form of social division in South Asia, especially India. Generally, caste is an ascribed status with Brahmins sitting at the top of the hierarchy order while the Dalit community comes at the bottom. The US lawmakers are of the view that caste-based discrimination has proliferated in the country as well with even big tech companies facing the problem. However, not everyone seems to agree with the legislation. Rakhi Israni, an attorney and California resident, who testified before the committee stated that bill was 'unconstitutional' in its structure. “If this bill is adopted, caste will be the only discrimination law category that is not facially neutral/ Everyone has a race. Everyone has a colour. Everyone has an age. Not everyone has a caste. This bill is facially discriminatory," she told the committee. According to an AP report, during the course of hearing in front of the committee, about 220 people said they support the bill while 420 said they oppose it. ALSO READ | California: Afghan-American lawmaker seeks law against caste discrimination Prior to the bill in California, Seattle became the first city in the US to outlaw caste discrimination. In February, the city council voted to add caste to the anti-discrimination laws. If the bill is approved, California will become the first US state to make caste discrimination illegal by adding it as a protected category in the state’s anti-discrimination laws. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

California takes a step ahead in passing bill against caste discrimination

Seattle has become the first US city to outlaw caste discrimination. The city's local council voted Tuesday to add caste to the city's anti-discrimination laws. The decision is especially important for the area's South Asian diaspora, who had been calling for such a law for some time now. The issue of caste discrimination was particularly important for the Indian and Hindu communities residing in the area. India's caste system is among the world's oldest forms of rigid social stratification.

The ordinance was approved by a 6-1 vote. People backing the law say that in the absence of such a law, those facing caste discrimination in the US will have no protections.

"This will be a systemic legal way to stop this from going on in Seattle," said Preshant Nema, a local activist.

Meanwhile, there are others who think that bringing the law would malign the Indian community, especially the Hindu Americans, who already face prejudice. Defending the move, Kshama Sawant, a socialist and the only Indian American on the city council, said the ordinance does not single out one community. In fact, she says, the law takes into account how caste discrimination crosses national and religious boundaries.

Several colleges and universities in the US have also added provisions in their systems to prohibit caste discrimination. Dalit activist-led organisations say that caste discrimination is prevalent in diaspora communities.

According to South Asian Americans Leading Together, nearly 5.4 million South Asians live in the US. This includes people from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The caste system in India can be traced back around 3,000 years and was based on one's occupation. It offered several privilege to upper castes while repressing lower castes. The Dalit community is on &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;the lowest rung of the Indian Hindu caste system. Caste discrimination was outlawed in India over 70 years ago. However, studies suggest that bias continues and the lower castes were underrepresented in higher-paying jobs.

(With inputs from agencies)

 
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Seattle has become the first US city to outlaw caste discrimination. The city's local council voted Tuesday to add caste to the city's anti-discrimination laws. The decision is especially important for the area's South Asian diaspora, who had been calling for such a law for some time now.

Seattle has become the first US city to outlaw caste discrimination. The city's local council voted Tuesday to add caste to the city's anti-discrimination laws. The decision is especially important for the area's South Asian diaspora, who had been calling for such a law for some time now. The issue of caste discrimination was particularly important for the Indian and Hindu communities residing in the area. India's caste system is among the world's oldest forms of rigid social stratification. The ordinance was approved by a 6-1 vote. People backing the law say that in the absence of such a law, those facing caste discrimination in the US will have no protections. "This will be a systemic legal way to stop this from going on in Seattle," said Preshant Nema, a local activist. Meanwhile, there are others who think that bringing the law would malign the Indian community, especially the Hindu Americans, who already face prejudice. Defending the move, Kshama Sawant, a socialist and the only Indian American on the city council, said the ordinance does not single out one community. In fact, she says, the law takes into account how caste discrimination crosses national and religious boundaries. Several colleges and universities in the US have also added provisions in their systems to prohibit caste discrimination. Dalit activist-led organisations say that caste discrimination is prevalent in diaspora communities. According to South Asian Americans Leading Together, nearly 5.4 million South Asians live in the US. This includes people from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The caste system in India can be traced back around 3,000 years and was based on one's occupation. It offered several privilege to upper castes while repressing lower castes. The Dalit community is on the lowest rung of the Indian Hindu caste system. Caste discrimination was outlawed in India over 70 years ago. However, studies suggest that bias continues and the lower castes were underrepresented in higher-paying jobs. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Seattle bans caste-based discrimination, first US city to do so