P&H HC moves towards casteless firs

Deprecating the practice of mentioning caste status in criminal proceedings, the Punjab and Haryana High Court observed that caste system is profoundly illogical, and it is also against the basic tenets of the Constitution.

Terming the practice of using caste as 'colonial legacy', the division bench comprising Justice Rajiv Sharma and Justice Kuldip Singh directed the State governments of Punjab and Haryana and Union Territory of Chandigarh to issue instructions to all the investigating officers not to mention the caste of the accused, victims or witnesses in recovery memos, FIRs, seizure memos, inquest papers and other forms prescribed under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1973 and Punjab Police Rules.

While this is undoubtedly a welcome move, there is also an urgent need to put an end to adopt any caste by any person belonging to any faith. Such freedom creates chaos in the society, and it is also against the law of the land which specifically prohibits any act that hurts one's religious feelings.