'No mention of caste': UP bans reference in police records; rallies, vehicles under scanner

NEW DELHI: The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday ordered a complete ban on caste-based references in police records and at public places following an Allahabad High Court order to end caste-based discrimination.

Chief secretary Deepak Kumar instructed all departments that caste will no longer be mentioned in First Information Reports (FIRs), arrest memos, or other police documents. Instead, the names of parents will be used for identification purposes.

The order further directs that caste symbols, slogans, and references displayed on police station noticeboards, vehicles, or signboards must be removed immediately.

However, the government clarified that exemptions will apply in cases filed under the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, where identifying caste remains a necessary legal requirement.

Meanwhile, caste-based rallies have also been prohibited across the state, with law enforcement tasked to ensure strict monitoring of social media platforms to prevent violations.

The government also said vehicles displaying caste names or slogans glorifying caste will be penalised under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 1988.