India’s Commitment to Equality and Justice
After years of tireless efforts to achieve Independence, the post-independence era reaffirmed the commitment to the principles of freedom, justice, and equality. This paved the way for a more unbiased and inclusive form of administration.
The inclusive approach has been reflected in the Indian constitution, the workings of the government, its governance, and the policies and judgments that followed.
The Issue of Caste-Based Discrimination in Prisons
However, it took a bit longer to address the lingering caste-based bias challenges in prisons. The issue came into the spotlight only after journalist Sukanya Shantha pointed out the pervasive nature of caste-based discrimination in prisons.
The petition underscored the existence of discriminatory practices, including the segregation of prisoners based on caste, assigning menial jobs to certain castes, and the use of derogatory terms to refer to marginalized communities.
Supreme Court’s Landmark Ruling on Caste-Based Discrimination
The Supreme Court declared that such provisions violate Articles 14, 15, 17, 21, and 23 of the Indian constitution, which guarantees equality, protects human dignity, and prohibits discrimination.
The Court instructed states to expunge caste-based columns from prison records and ensure that prisoners are treated with dignity, regardless of their background or caste. This reflects the strengthening of the commitment toward ensuring a better India.
Revisions to the Model Prison Manual and Correctional Services Act
To achieve this, the Center has been directed to revise the Model Prison Manual 2016 and Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act 2013 to eliminate discriminatory provisions.
“The changes have been made in the wake of the October 3, 2024 order of the Supreme Court on caste-based discrimination of prisoners.”
Ensuring Equality and Justice in Prisons
According to the new additions in the manual, prison authorities will have to strictly ensure that there is no discrimination, classification, or segregation of prisoners on the basis of their caste, as reported by Indian Express.
This landmark judgment marks a significant milestone in the quest to eradicate caste-based discrimination in Indian prisons, promoting greater equality and justice in civil society.
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Click here to read”The Hindu” report