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January 11, 2010
Caste prejudices are on the increase: India’s Supreme Court Chief Justice
Check out this interesting comment by India’s Chief Justice.
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Caste bias against dalits not down: CJI
By Dhananjay Mahapatra, Times of India, 11 January 2010
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Caste-bias-against-dalits-not-down-CJI/articleshow/5431611.cms
NEW DELHI: In what could raise serious concerns over the working of the 60-year-old reservation system to uplift the dalits, Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan on Sunday said caste prejudices had not come down against the dalits.
Reflecting on his journey from a dalit boy to the post of CJI, Justice Balakrishnan said it had not been an easy road for him. Asked whether in the present day, a similarly placed dalit boy would have a smoother journey, the CJI said, “It will still be difficult.”
Speaking to TOI, Justice Balakrishnan said, “The prejudices are on the increase. It may not be visible on the surface, for the prejudices are more sophisticate now.” This remark from the CJI puts in question the efficacy of the current system of reservation for Scheduled Caste population through the Presidential Order of 1950 to compensate them for the centuries of oppression at the hands of upper castes.
But the CJI was not bitter as he looked back on the eve of completing three years in the top post, just five months away from his retirement. “I have suffered caste prejudices. But at the same time, so many people have helped me irrespective of their caste,” he added.
In fact, the Supreme Court in April 2006 had issued notices to the Centre and all states on a PIL filed by an NGO — ‘National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights’ (NCDHR) — citing 20 common instances of indifference of police and authorities that had rendered the SCs and STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, a dead piece of legislation. The PIL had sought as many as 28 different directions for the proper implementation of the 17-year-old Act.
Posted by klajja at January 11, 2010 05:04 PM
Comment Code of Conduct
I will express myself with civility, courtesy, and respect for others, especially toward those with whom I disagree—even if I feel disrespected by them.
I will express my disagreements with others' ideas without insulting, mocking, or slandering them personally.
I will not exaggerate others' beliefs nor make unfounded prejudicial assumptions based on labels, categories, or stereotypes. I will always extend the benefit of the doubt.