The direction of the Allahabad High Court to remove the mention of caste from police records, including FIRs and arrest memos, has reignited a long-overdue debate across India. The order is not merely a procedural change – it is a call for a deep societal and institutional reform that strikes at the root of caste-based prejudice in law enforcement. Jammu and Kashmir, where this outdated practice continues, must also heed the call and act swiftly to abolish it. The practice of recording caste in police documents has no place in a modern democracy. It is a relic of the British colonial era, deliberately designed to divide Indian society along caste lines and weaken its unity. The British administration used caste classifications to exploit social hierarchies and reinforce their “divide and rule” policy. Sadly, even decades after independence, remnants of this discriminatory system persist in our bureaucratic and policing structures.
Mentioning caste in FIRs or arrest memos perpetuates stigma and can directly influence the fairness of an investigation. A person’s social identity, rather than the evidence, can unconsciously or deliberately shape how a case is pursued. When an accused or a complainant belongs to a marginalised community, bias – overt or covert – can lead to denial of justice. Similarly, when the investigating officer or the accused comes from a different social group, caste can distort objectivity. There are several examples across states where caste bias has affected the registration, progress, and even outcomes of cases.
Modern tools like Aadhar, voter ID, and biometric verification make it unnecessary to rely on caste for identification. These documents ensure precision without prejudice. As experts rightly note, the focus should be on verifiable personal and residential details, not outdated social markers. The police should instead invest in digital record systems, facial recognition, and database integration for foolproof identification of individuals. Removing caste from police records is not just an administrative decision; it is a moral and constitutional necessity. It will strengthen public faith in the police, promote equality before the law, and uphold the spirit of Article 14 of the Constitution. Jammu and Kashmir – and indeed, all of India – must move beyond colonial hangovers and embrace a policing culture rooted in justice, fairness, and unity. It is high time to end this discriminatory practice now.
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