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19 Feb 2026·Source: The Indian Express
4 min
Polity & GovernanceSocial IssuesNEWS

Supreme Court Seeks Review of Plea on Racial Crime Guidelines

Supreme Court directs Attorney General to examine plea for racial crime guidelines.

The Supreme Court has directed the Attorney General to examine a plea seeking guidelines against racial crimes, specifically in connection with the Anjel Chakma murder case. This directive highlights the court's concern over the issue of racial discrimination and violence. The plea calls for the establishment of clear guidelines to address and prevent racial crimes, ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice and victims receive adequate protection and support.

The court's intervention underscores the need for a comprehensive legal framework to combat racial prejudice and promote equality. The Attorney General's review will likely involve assessing the existing legal provisions and identifying gaps that need to be addressed to effectively tackle racial crimes.

Key Facts

1.

The Supreme Court has directed the Attorney General to examine the plea.

2.

The plea seeks guidelines against racial crimes.

3.

The case is specifically related to the Anjel Chakma murder.

4.

The court's intervention highlights concerns over racial discrimination and violence.

UPSC Exam Angles

1.

GS Paper II: Polity and Governance - Social Justice

2.

Connects to fundamental rights, protection of vulnerable sections, role of judiciary

3.

Statement-based MCQs on constitutional provisions, legal frameworks, and institutional mechanisms

In Simple Words

The Supreme Court is looking into a request for rules about crimes motivated by race, especially after a murder case. This means the court wants to make sure everyone is treated fairly, no matter their background. It's about ensuring the law protects everyone equally from racial hatred and violence.

India Angle

In India, this connects to how people from different regions or castes are sometimes treated unfairly. A shopkeeper might face discrimination based on their ethnicity, or a student might be bullied for their background. This case aims to create a system where such biases are addressed by the law.

For Instance

Think of it like your apartment building having rules against noise. If someone is consistently playing loud music late at night, these rules help ensure everyone's peace is protected. Similarly, these guidelines would protect people from racial crimes.

It matters because everyone deserves to live without fear of being targeted because of their race. These guidelines can help create a more just and equal society for all.

Equal protection under the law means protection from racial hatred too.

Visual Insights

Location of Anjel Chakma Case

This map highlights the region where the Anjel Chakma murder case occurred, emphasizing the geographical context of the racial crime.

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📍Tripura
More Information

Background

The issue of racial discrimination is deeply rooted in historical and social contexts. While India does not have a history of explicit racial segregation like some other countries, discrimination based on caste, ethnicity, and appearance has been prevalent. Article 15 of the Indian Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. However, the implementation and enforcement of these constitutional provisions remain a challenge. There is no specific comprehensive law in India that directly addresses racial crimes. Existing laws, such as the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, primarily focus on caste-based discrimination and atrocities. The absence of a specific law dealing with racial crimes leaves a gap in addressing discrimination and violence based on race or ethnicity. The Supreme Court's intervention in the Anjel Chakma murder case highlights the need for a more robust legal framework to tackle racial prejudice and ensure justice for victims of racial crimes. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) plays a crucial role in addressing human rights violations, including those related to discrimination. However, the NHRC's powers are primarily recommendatory, and it lacks the authority to directly enforce its recommendations. The current plea before the Supreme Court seeks to strengthen the legal framework and provide clear guidelines for addressing racial crimes, potentially leading to more effective prevention and prosecution of such offenses.

Latest Developments

In recent years, there has been increasing attention to issues of discrimination and hate crimes in India, particularly against marginalized communities. Several reports by human rights organizations and civil society groups have highlighted the prevalence of discrimination and the need for stronger legal and institutional mechanisms to address it. The rise of social media has also brought increased visibility to instances of discrimination and hate speech, prompting calls for greater accountability and action.

The government has taken some steps to address discrimination, including initiatives to promote social inclusion and awareness campaigns to combat prejudice. However, critics argue that these measures are insufficient and that a more comprehensive approach is needed, including the enactment of specific laws to address racial crimes and hate speech. The Supreme Court's directive to the Attorney General to review the plea on racial crime guidelines reflects a growing recognition of the need for more effective legal and policy interventions.

Looking ahead, the Attorney General's review could lead to recommendations for legislative or policy changes to address racial crimes. This could include the drafting of a new law specifically addressing racial discrimination and violence, or amendments to existing laws to broaden their scope and effectiveness. The outcome of this process will likely have significant implications for the protection of marginalized communities and the promotion of equality and justice in India.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the main issue the Supreme Court is addressing in the Anjel Chakma case?

The Supreme Court is examining a plea seeking guidelines against racial crimes, specifically in connection with the Anjel Chakma murder case. The court's intervention highlights concerns over racial discrimination and violence.

2. What is the role of the Attorney General of India in this case?

The Supreme Court has directed the Attorney General to examine the plea seeking guidelines against racial crimes. The Attorney General's review will likely involve assessing the existing legal provisions and identifying gaps that need to be addressed to effectively tackle racial crimes.

3. How does this case relate to Article 15 of the Indian Constitution?

Article 15 of the Indian Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. The Supreme Court's consideration of guidelines against racial crimes aligns with the principles of Article 15 by seeking to prevent discrimination and promote equality.

4. What are the potential implications of establishing specific guidelines against racial crimes in India?

Establishing specific guidelines against racial crimes could lead to better enforcement of laws, increased awareness of racial discrimination, and improved protection for victims. It could also help in creating a more equitable and just society by addressing historical and systemic inequalities.

5. What is the background context of racial discrimination in India?

While India does not have a history of explicit racial segregation, discrimination based on caste, ethnicity, and appearance has been prevalent. In recent years, there has been increasing attention to issues of discrimination and hate crimes, particularly against marginalized communities.

6. What key facts about the Supreme Court's intervention in the Anjel Chakma case are important for the UPSC Prelims exam?

Key facts include: The Supreme Court has directed the Attorney General to examine the plea. The plea seeks guidelines against racial crimes. The case is specifically related to the Anjel Chakma murder. The court's intervention highlights concerns over racial discrimination and violence.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding Article 15 of the Indian Constitution: 1. It prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. 2. It allows the state to make special provisions for women and children. 3. It applies to both state actions and private individuals. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.2 and 3 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: A

Statement 1 is CORRECT: Article 15(1) explicitly prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. Statement 2 is CORRECT: Article 15(3) allows the state to make special provisions for women and children, enabling affirmative action. Statement 3 is INCORRECT: Article 15 primarily applies to state actions. While Article 15(2) extends to certain private entities concerning access to public places, it does not broadly apply to all private individuals.

2. Which of the following statements is NOT correct regarding the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989?

  • A.It aims to prevent atrocities against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
  • B.It provides for special courts to conduct trials of offenses under the Act.
  • C.It includes provisions for the rehabilitation of victims of atrocities.
  • D.It covers discrimination based on race and ethnicity.
Show Answer

Answer: D

Options A, B, and C are correct features of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Option D is INCORRECT because the Act primarily focuses on caste-based discrimination and atrocities, not race and ethnicity. The Act aims to prevent atrocities against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, provides for special courts, and includes provisions for the rehabilitation of victims.

3. The Supreme Court's directive to the Attorney General regarding racial crime guidelines is related to which of the following cases?

  • A.Nirbhaya Case
  • B.Anjel Chakma Murder Case
  • C.Shakti Mills Rape Case
  • D.Arushi Talwar Murder Case
Show Answer

Answer: B

The Supreme Court's directive to the Attorney General to examine the plea seeking guidelines against racial crimes is specifically in connection with the Anjel Chakma murder case. This case has brought attention to the issue of racial discrimination and violence and the need for a comprehensive legal framework to address it.

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