Caste, Religion Mentions In Children's Home Records | Allahabad High Court Action Prompts UP Govt To Urge Centre To Amend JJ Act

The Uttar Pradesh Government recently informed the Allahabad High Court that it has written to the Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, with suggestions for amendments to the relevant provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and the Juvenile Justice Rules, 2016.The UP Government gave this proposal days after the High Court raised serious concerns regarding the mentioning of caste and religion of the minor children kept at Rajkiya Balgrih/Children's Home. For context, while dealing with a habeas corpus petition of a minor girl, a bench of Justice Vinod Diwaker had inquired from the Director and the Secretary of the Directorate of Women Welfare, Uttar Pradesh, about the requirement of mentioning the caste and religion in the details prepared by counselors and the office of District Probationary Officer of the minors who are kept in the Children's home.Pursuant to this, the AGA placed before the Court a letter dated December 2, 2025, issued by the Special Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh, addressed to the Secretary, Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, containing suggestions for amendment in the relevant provisions of the 2015 Act and 2016 Rules.Further, noting that the corpus was in the safe custody of her brother (Petitioner No. 2), the bench disposed of the petition.It may be noted that the same bench had earlier taken strong exception to the trend of caste glorification in society and issued sweeping directions to the Uttar Pradesh Government to remove caste references from FIRs, police documents, public records, motor vehicles and public signboards.Justice Diwaker had observed that such caste glorification is 'anti-national' and that reverence for the Constitution, rather than for lineage, is the 'highest form of patriotism' and the 'truest expression of national service'.Significantly, the single judge said that if India has to become a truly developed nation by 2047, it is imperative that we eradicate the deeply entrenched caste system from our society."This goal demands sustained, multi-level efforts from all levels of government—through progressive policies, robust anti-discrimination laws, and transformative social programs", the Court remarked as it took note of the absence of a comprehensive law aimed at dismantling the caste system itself and its pervasive social influence Importantly, the Court also strongly criticised the practice of recording caste in FIRs, recovery memos, and investigation documents, calling it identity profiling and violative of constitutional morality.Read more about the September 2025 order here : Caste Glorification 'Anti-National', Respecting Constitution 'True Patriotism': Allahabad High Court Cracks Down On Caste References In FIRs, Public PlacesCase Title: Sunita Minor And Another vs. State Of U.P. And 8 Others 2026 LiveLaw (AB) 69Case citation: 2026 LiveLaw (AB) 69Click Here To Read/Download Order

Caste, Religion Mentions In Children's Home Records | Allahabad High Court Action Prompts UP Govt To Urge Centre To Amend JJ Act

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