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The Uttar Pradesh government has taken a historic step by issuing a comprehensive ban on any public display of caste across the state. Read in-depth analysis by veteran journalist by Manoj Tibrewal Aakash.
New Delhi: A major and historic development has emerged from Lucknow, creating a significant stir in the political, social, and administrative structures of Uttar Pradesh. The state government has issued an order imposing a complete ban on any display of caste, including rallies and caste-based symbols on vehicles. Last night, Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar issued a government order clearly stating that no one in Uttar Pradesh will be allowed to publicly display their caste. Whether it is caste-indicating stickers, flags, or signs on two-wheelers or four-wheelers, or organizing caste-based power rallies, all such displays are banned with immediate effect.
Senior journalist Manoj Tibrewal Aakash said in his show 'The MTA Speaks' that this decision was taken in compliance with a recent order of the Allahabad High Court. In two consecutive important orders on September 16 and 19, 2025, the court declared caste glorification not only against constitutional morality but also anti-national. This landmark observation was made by a single bench of Justice Vinod Diwakar during the hearing of the petition number Criminal Misc Writ U/s 482, Case No. 31545/2024 and the case of Praveen Chhetri vs. State. The petitioner had objected that his caste was mentioned in the FIR and seizure memo registered during his arrest, which violated his fundamental rights. The court strongly remarked on this, stating that recording caste identification is contrary to constitutional values and that glorifying caste promotes an anti-national mindset. The court stated that true patriotism lies in loyalty to the Constitution, rather than caste.
In its order, the High Court clearly directed that the police will no longer record the caste of any accused, informant, or witness. Only modern means of identification, such as fingerprints, Aadhaar number, mobile number, and parents' names, are sufficient. The court directed the removal of all caste columns from police records, a ban on mentioning caste in government and legal documents, and the removal of caste symbols from public places. The court also warned the government that if India is to become a developed nation by 2047, the caste system must be eradicated.
The court also suggested that, to promote gender equality, the mother's name should now be mandatory in police forms along with the father's or husband's name. The court also ordered that IT regulations be strengthened to prevent mention of caste on internet media and provide citizens with a simple mechanism to report such content. The court clearly stated that the elimination of caste must be a central agenda in the goal of making India a developed nation by 2047, and that the state and central governments must take concrete steps in accordance with constitutional morality.
Following this court order, Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar issued a detailed government order on September 21, copies of which were sent to all district magistrates, police commissioners, senior superintendents of police, IAS and IPS officers for immediate compliance. This letter, sent by Home (Police) Section-3, clearly states in ten points that a person's caste will no longer be mentioned in police records such as FIRs, arrest memos, charge sheets, and other documents. For the identification of an accused, the name of the father as well as the mother will now be mandatory. The order also states that the UP Police will write to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) to remove the caste column from its Crime Criminal Tracking Network and System (CCTNS).
This order applies not only to police records but also to public places. Signs declaring caste-dominated areas in villages, towns, and colonies will be removed. Instructions have been given to immediately remove any caste-indicative symbols, banners, or messages in government premises and police offices. Similarly, caste-indicative symbols and slogans will be removed from police station noticeboards, vehicles, and signboards. The order also states that caste-based rallies will be completely banned in the state, and caste-based content will not be posted on the internet. However, this ban will not apply in cases like the SC/ST Act, where caste is legally required. Police manuals and standard operating procedures (SOPs) will be amended to ensure effective enforcement of these orders.
The government has also announced stricter enforcement measures against social media. According to the order, action will be taken under the IT Act against content glorifying caste or inciting caste hatred on internet media and social platforms. There will be a complete ban on caste-based rallies or public events, and disciplinary action will be taken against those violating the order. All senior officials have been tasked with ensuring that this order is followed at every level and strict monitoring is maintained.
These orders are being implemented at a time when preparations for the Panchayat elections are underway in the state and all major political parties are busy strategizing for the upcoming assembly elections. It is being said that the BJP government is trying to corner the Samajwadi Party through this move, as SP chief Akhilesh Yadav's slogan of PDA (Political, Dalit, and Minority) has become popular in every village of Uttar Pradesh. People associated with PDA have become more aware of their rights and SP has targeted the assembly elections even before the Lok Sabha elections and has started the politics of PDA. It is strengthening the foundation of this policy. Sensing the urgency of the situation, the Samajwadi Party has also expanded the scope of its slogan.
The political implications of this decision are also beginning to emerge. Samajwadi Party leader and former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has reacted sharply to this. He questioned on social media that merely banning the display of caste on vehicles or in rallies will not eliminate casteism. He asked what steps will be taken to eradicate the caste-based mindset that has been ingrained in the minds for five thousand years. He also questioned what concrete plans the government has to eradicate the mentality of displaying caste through clothing, costumes, and symbols, to end the practice of asking for caste before names, and to stop caste-based derogatory conspiracies.
Meanwhile, within the government, this order is being considered a historic and far-reaching step. The government says that this policy is part of its stated commitment to end caste-based discrimination in society. Officials believe that removing caste from police records and public life will send a strong message toward social equality and gradually change people's mindsets.
It's important to note, however, that this mandate has not yet been finalized. The opposition from major political parties raises the possibility that the matter could reach the Supreme Court in the coming days. If the Supreme Court hears the case, the order's implementation could be temporarily stayed or its scope amended.
This entire development stems from a petition filed by Praveen Chhetri, an accused in a liquor smuggling case in Etawah district, who raised this issue. He alleged that his caste was insulted by the mention of his caste in his FIR. The court dismissed the petition, delivering a landmark ruling that caste glorification is anti-national and that there could be no greater threat to the future. The court advised policymakers to promote inter-caste institutions and community centers instead of caste-based institutions.
Now, with the implementation of this order, swift action has begun across the state. The removal of caste-indicative boards and symbols from police stations, police vehicles, and government offices has begun. Social media monitoring has also been intensified. The administration has asked districts to submit reports so that compliance with the order can be regularly reviewed. This move by the Uttar Pradesh government sends a strong and symbolic message against the caste system deeply ingrained in Indian society. While it is being hailed as a milestone towards social justice and equality, it has also sparked debate about whether a mere ban on symbols can change centuries-old mentalities. For now, it is certain that this order has sparked a new debate on casteism in the state's politics and society, and its impact will be felt across the country in the coming days.
