New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh government has imposed a prohibition on political rallies based on caste. As per the authority, those rallies were a threat to “public order” and “national unity”. Notably, the assembly election in the state will take place after a couple of years, and it remains to be seen if this decision has any far-reaching political effect.
‘Such rallies promote caste conflict in society’
The state government cited a September 16 order of the Allahabad High Court. The government order, issued late on September 21 by officiating Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar to all the district magistrates, secretaries, and heads of police in the state, cited the court order and said that political rallies based on caste promote caste conflict in society. It goes against the “public order” and “national unity” and hence has been prohibited in the state.
The directive has been issued in 10 points and it also prohibits “caste-based markings in police records as well as public display of caste-based signs”, aiming “to eliminate caste-based discrimination” in society. Vehicles with caste names, slogans, and stickers will be issued challans. Notably, there is only one exception for crimes under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
With the state Assembly election slated to be held two years later, it remains to be seen how the order will impact the state politics, which is heavily dependent on caste. The government has adopted an inclusive policy, and action will be taken against those who trigger conflict through “caste-based displays and protests”.