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Calcutta High Court: Casteist Slurs on Social Media Can Attract the SC/ST Act
ಸುದ್ದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಏಕೆ?
When is a social media post 'in public view'? The SC/ST Act test aspirants must know
The Calcutta High Court explained when abusive casteist posts online fall within the 'public view' test of the SC/ST Act.
Why it matters: factual, Prelims-type
What you need to know
2 ನಿಮಿಷ
The Calcutta High Court has held that casteist slurs posted on social media can attract the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, depending on whether the remark meets the 'public view' requirement of the law.
The ruling considers how the idea of a public place or public view applies to online platforms.
The Act penalises intentional insult or intimidation of members of SC/ST communities with intent to humiliate them.
ಮೂಲಗಳು: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
ಮುಖ್ಯ ಅಂಶಗಳು
Remember these
- Calcutta High Court held casteist slurs on social media can attract the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
- Liability depends on whether the remark meets the 'public view' requirement of the Act
- The Act penalises intentional insult or intimidation of SC/ST members with intent to humiliate them
- The SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was enacted in 1989 to prevent atrocities against SC/ST communities
- Article 17 of the Constitution abolishes untouchability and its practice in any form
ಪ್ರಿಲಿಮ್ಸ್ · ಮೇನ್ಸ್
How the exam will ask it
ಪ್ರಿಲಿಮ್ಸ್
- The SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 penalises intentional insult or intimidation with intent to humiliate a member of SC/ST in any place within public view.
- Under the Act, offences are tried by designated Special Courts, and the Act is a special law supplementing the IPC/BNS provisions.
- Article 17 abolishes untouchability, and its enforcement is backed by the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955.
ಮೇನ್ಸ್
GS-II (Polity, Social Justice, Judiciary): online platforms blur the traditional idea of a 'public place' or 'public view' under the SC/ST Act, so courts must adapt the provision to digital speech. The Act's intent-to-humiliate and public-view tests balance protection of vulnerable communities against free speech under Article 19(1)(a). Way forward: clearer statutory language for online spaces, faster platform takedown and cooperation, and awareness and sensitisation of law enforcement.
Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
ಭಾರತದಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಯಾಣಿಕ ವಾಹನಗಳ ಸರಾಸರಿ ಇಂಧನ ಕ್ಷಮತೆ (CAFE) ನಿಯಮಗಳನ್ನು ಯಾವ ಕಾಯ್ದೆಯಡಿ ರೂಪಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ?
- ಮೋಟಾರು ವಾಹನ ಕಾಯ್ದೆ, 1988
- ಇಂಧನ ಸಂರಕ್ಷಣಾ ಕಾಯ್ದೆ, 2001
- ಪರಿಸರ (ಸಂರಕ್ಷಣೆ) ಕಾಯ್ದೆ, 1986
- ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ಕಾಯ್ದೆ, 2003
ಉತ್ತರ ನೋಡಿ
ಉತ್ತರ: B — ಸರಿ: ಇಂಧನ ಸಂರಕ್ಷಣಾ ಕಾಯ್ದೆ, 2001 — CAFE ನಿಯಮಗಳನ್ನು ಈ ಕಾಯ್ದೆಯಡಿ ಅಧಿಸೂಚಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ; ಅನುಷ್ಠಾನ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆ ಇಂಧನ ದಕ್ಷತಾ ಬ್ಯೂರೋ.
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