file image. , Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma
Nine years after an interim order banning caste-based political rallies in Uttar Pradesh while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the Allahabad High Court has now issued fresh notices to the Election Commission of India (EC) and four political parties . (BJP, Congress, SP, BSP) heard the matter and listed the matter for further hearing on 15 December.
The Allahabad High Court passed an interim order in July 2013, directing that until the Election Commission of India (EC) takes appropriate measures after attending the court proceedings, caste-based discrimination for political purposes in the state There will be no rallies.
However, in a November hearing before a division bench of Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Jaspreet Singh, the court noted that the counsel for the respondents were not present for the hearing and no reply was filed by them.
Taking note of this, the court then issued fresh notices to the respondents, seeking their reply by the next date of hearing.
The matter was raised when Advocate Moti Lal Yadav filed a PIL against caste-based political rallies and the Election Commission of India to regulate political parties against all acts of commission or omission to influence voters. Had sought directions to issue directions to the on the basis of caste and religion.
The High Court had heard a PIL in July 2013 and ruled to ban such rallies till the ECI joins the proceedings and frames rules for the same. It had said that it was exercising its powers under Article 226 of the Constitution to issue directions even though the PIL had not specifically sought a ban.
The court noted in 2013 that the traditional caste-system was “largely a non-political institution”, adding, “in their attempt to find political ground in the caste system through politicisation, it appears that political parties has seriously disturbed the social order.” Clothing and harmony. Instead it has resulted in social fragmentation.
Furthermore, it was argued that due to the “globalization of the economy”, “there has been a drastic change in the caste-based thinking and mindset of the modern generation”.
Thus it concluded, “In the premises set out here above, unrestricted freedom to hold caste based rallies, which are beyond the total abhorrence and understanding of the modern generation and contrary to public interest, cannot be justified. “