Supreme Court rejects caste-based segregation of prisoners

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of India has declared caste-based segregation in prisons unconstitutional, overturning a previous judgment by the Madras High Court. This decision came in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Sukanya Shantha, a journalist at The Wire.

The Supreme Court's judgment emphasizes that the philosophy of "separate but equal" has no place in the Indian Constitution, asserting that segregating prisoners based on caste does not prevent violence but rather perpetuates discrimination and inequality. The ruling has been hailed as a significant step towards ensuring equal rights and humane treatment for all individuals, regardless of caste, within the prison system.

The PIL argued that segregating prisoners based on caste is a violation of fundamental rights and goes against the principles of justice and equality enshrined in the Constitution. The Supreme Court's decision reaffirms the commitment to these principles, setting a precedent for future cases concerning caste-based discrimination.

This judgment is expected to have far-reaching implications, prompting reforms in prison management and practices to align with the constitutional mandate for equality and non-discrimination.