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Calcutta High Court: Casteist Slurs on Social Media Can Attract the SC/ST Act
വാർത്തയിൽ എന്തുകൊണ്ട്?
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 മിനിറ്റ്
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.
ഉറവിടങ്ങൾ: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
പ്രധാന വസ്തുതകൾ
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
പ്രിലിംസ് · മെയിൻസ്
How the exam will ask it
പ്രിലിംസ്
- 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.
മെയിൻസ്
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
Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) norms for passenger vehicles in India are framed under which law?
- Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
- Energy Conservation Act, 2001
- Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
- Electricity Act, 2003
ഉത്തരം കാണിക്കൂ
ഉത്തരം: B — Correct: Energy Conservation Act, 2001 — CAFE norms are notified under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency as the implementing body. • Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 — wrong: The Motor Vehicles Act governs licensing, registration and road safety, while fuel-efficiency standards come from energy law. • Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 — wrong: The Environment (Protection) Act underlies emission norms such as Bharat Stage standards, not the fleet fuel-consumption targets. • Electricity Act, 2003 — wrong: The Electricity Act regulates generation, transmission and distribution of power, not vehicle fuel efficiency.
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