In recent years, it has become fashionable to write caste names like Yadav, Jat, Gurjar, Brahmin, Pandit, Kshatriya, Lodhi, Maurya, etc on vehicles in Uttar Pradesh. And now to curb the same, a new rule has been passed which states that all vehicles which display caste stickers on windscreens and number plates of four and two-wheelers in Uttar Pradesh will invite punitive action and will be seized by authorities.
Drive to demolish dominating caste identities
The Transport Department has launched a drive against the vehicles with caste stickers on the instructions from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). As per resources, the issue got highlighted after a complaint regarding the same was filed by Harshal Prabhu, a teacher in Maharashtra. Prabhu wrote the letter on IGRS, an integrated system designed for redressal of grievances, stating that the display of such stickers is a threat to the social fabric of the society.
The PMO took note of the letter and sent it to the Uttar Pradesh government after which such drive was launched.” According to our enforcement teams, every 20th vehicle is found carrying such a sticker. Our headquarters has asked us to take action against such vehicle owners,” said D.K. Tripathi, deputy transport commissioner, Kanpur. The practice of people displaying their particular caste identities on vehicles is considered a status symbol.
However, this practice of exhibiting caste identities creates rifts in society, deepening the cracks of caste hierarchy and assertion. This attempt can be pegged as the Centre’s attempt to demolish domination by higher castes, promoting social homogeneity in Uttar Pradesh.
-With inputs from IANS
