The recent Supreme Court ruling prohibiting caste-based discrimination in prisons is a landmark decision that addresses systemic inequalities in the Indian penal system, violating Articles 14, 17, 21, and 23, which uphold fundamental rights and dignity.

Caste-Based Hierarchy in Prison Management

• The Supreme Court addressed the specific rules outlined in the jail manuals of various states.
• It highlighted how caste hierarchy influences inherent bias in prison management:
  • Allocation of Duties: Certain prisoners are assigned menial tasks based on their caste (e.g., cooking duties given to upper-caste individuals and scavenging assigned to lower-caste individuals).
  • Violation of Constitutional Principles: The ruling highlighted how caste-based practices in prisons violate fundamental constitutional principles, including:
    • Right to Dignity: Work assignments based on caste diminish prisoners’ dignity.
    • Forced Labour: Mandating tasks like manual scavenging contravenes the prohibition against forced labour.
  • Classification of Prisoners: The British labelled certain tribes as criminals before independence, and this practice persisted afterward, with some groups even now being designated as ‘habitual offenders,‘ further entrenching negative stereotypes.

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Supreme Court Ruling

• Unconstitutionality of Caste-Based Rules: The Supreme Court has ruled that caste-based rules in prison manuals are unconstitutional, affirming that labour assignments should not be based on caste. 
• Mandate for Revision of Prison Regulations: The Court directed state governments to revise prison regulations within three months to eliminate caste discrimination. This requires a reevaluation of practices to ensure that the rights and dignity of all inmates are respected within the prison system.
• Critique of “Habitual Offender” Definitions: The Court criticised vague definitions of “habitual offenders,” which unfairly label entire communities as criminal. 

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s landmark ruling against caste-based discrimination in prisons marks a pivotal step towards ensuring justice and equality within the Indian penal system. By declaring caste-based rules unconstitutional and mandating revisions to prison regulations, the Court aims to uphold the dignity and rights of all inmates, dismantling systemic discrimination.

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