The legal investigation into ‘caste and religious stickers’ on vehicles underlines the tension between individual expressions, cultural practices, and legal rules. The tendency to publicly display caste identity can create jealousy and bitter reactions among others and reflect the growing caste tension in our society.

Socially speaking, it is a display of affluence or newly acquired wealth along with one’s caste identity. If one studies such acts in depth then one realizes that this is an attempt by the neo-rich social classes to celebrate their successes and give credit to their castes for these successes.

Caste identities constantly take new incarnations and re-emerge in our social life. They mutate like viruses and destroy the social connections needed for development and growth. Under the Motor Vehicles Act, no stickers or messages or anything can be written anywhere on the car or two-wheeler, including the registration plate.

Section 179 (1) of the Motor Vehicles Act prohibits the use of caste and religion-specific stickers and writings on vehicles. The recent action by the Uttar Pradesh Police of issuing challans for displaying ‘caste and religious stickers’ on vehicles has sparked a debate about the legality of such stickers. The move, part of a special campaign, raises questions about the interrelationship of vehicle rules, social norms, and legal restrictions.

The move sparked public debate in the state and elsewhere on whether it would weaken caste recognition in our society. Will it contribute to weakening the caste system in India? The validity of caste and religious stickers is assessed based on the Motor Vehicles Act and Motor Vehicle Rules.

Various state governments, including Uttar Pradesh, have issued orders against pasting stickers indicating caste and religion on vehicles, even on the body of the vehicle. Registration Number Plate Motor vehicle rules strictly prohibit placing stickers on registration number plates. The fine for challenging stickers and placing such stickers on law enforcement vehicles has been set at Rs 1,000, while it increases to Rs 5,000 for placing stickers on registration number plates.

We have seen that despite all the modern influences of the West in our society, increasing urbanization, deepening democracy, and increasing globalization, the foundation of the caste system in India has not been substantially weakened. Electoral democratic politics created an environment in which the caste system kept getting oxygen and got a new life in every election.

I think this is a commendable decision of the government, will it make any significant contribution in weakening the deeply rooted caste system in India? This is going to put a stop to the aggressive assertion of caste identity in public space.

This trend was first seen in areas like Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh, where neo-rich, locally influential groups started showing their caste names on windscreens and number plates of vehicles as a claim. In response, the newly wealthy sections of Dalits in these areas also started displaying their caste names on vehicles. This created social tension in a limited sense in these areas.

Socially speaking, it is a display of affluence or newly acquired wealth along with one’s caste identity. If one studies such acts in depth then one realizes that this is an attempt by the neo-rich social classes to celebrate their successes and give credit to their castes for these successes.

The tendency to publicly display caste identity can create jealousy and bitter reactions among others and reflect the growing caste tension in our society. We have seen that this competitive display of caste identity in Punjab and Western Uttar Pradesh leads to petty fights, social tension, and violence in various places. Gradually this trend is being seen in other parts of Uttar Pradesh also. The contagious spread of this trend can be seen in other Hindi states also.

The legal investigation into ‘caste and religious stickers’ on vehicles underlines the tension between individual expressions, cultural practices, and legal rules. As the legal framework evolves and society overcomes its complex dynamics, striking a balance between individual rights and social harmony remains an ongoing challenge.