Dalit activists thrust with Naxal tag
Government seems to have decided to make a organized effort on silencing the dalit movements in the country, especially after the stupendous response Koregaon and Una marches drew. Politicians are restless over the steam Dalit and minority movements are gathering. Chalo Una march finally gave a totally new MLA to the country in the form of Jignesh Mevani. This is probably sounding like a warning bell to the upper caste and class people. When Dalits took to streets opposing attempts to weaken the the act to protect dalits and minorities, police and upper class goondas tried silencing them forcefully, thus claiming lives of 10 dalits in the clashes that ensued.
Though police firing was ordered to contain the mobs, some of them were allegedly killed by the gunshots fired by upper class local leaders, in this pretext. BJP leaders are also said to have assaulted Dalits and other members. Many Dalit leaders still live under fear owing to this, and they are forced to attend to multiple hearings of court cases that were filed with the sole intention of systematically harassing them. During the celebration of Koregaon Vijay Diwas, Sangh Parivar and Police machinery attacked dalits simultaneously. This occasion has been troubling the upper class/caste society in Maharashtra since long because this is the day when Dalits joined hands with British and defeated the Peshwas who are also Brahmins. The Dalit Mahad soldiers opposed the discriminatory attitude of Brahmin Peshwes and stood with British to end their rule, and secured their self-respect. RSS has always fired its shots while placing the gun on Maratha shoulders.
Brahmin Peshwes are quite alike the RSS form of nationalism. So, to celebrate a day of victory over Peshwes by Dalits is like hitting the RSS where it hurts the most. Though this celebration was on since many years, RSS didn’t have the courage to oppose it. But now since the organization functions like a quasi government, it would rather clinch the opportunity and make its point known. Even the cops have joined hands with them. With this confidence, RSS tried destructing the Jignesh meet. Things spiraled out of control and violence spread like wildfire. Though it has been months since this happened, efforts are on to assault Dalits and push them into silence through institutional routes. Government has withdrawn many cases against Sangh Parivar activists who were involved in Koregaon violence, but the Dalits continue to be arrested under various charges. Ironically, the ones who consolidated Dalits for this Vijay Diwas are being given the tag of ‘Naxals’ and a serious allegation has been levelled against them of having plotted the assassination of Prime Minister Modi.
As the elections draw close, numerous ‘conspiracy theories’ attributed to Indian Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba get published in the media. The ‘intelligence sources’ float these theories themselves, and push people into a state of emotional distraught owing to delicate nature of the rumours. They try to create the ‘lone protector’ image pertaining to BJP. Media sell colourful stories to ensure this version is bought effectively. Many innocent muslims would be taken into ‘preventive custody’ too to ensure the projection of ‘culprit’ image gets a boost. Whenever Muslims have tried to come together, they have been called extremists or their organisations have been identified as national threats or are called terrorist organisation, thus ruining political consolidation of this community.
Now the same plan is being adapted for Dalits. Recently farmers and laborers held a long march to Mumbai. This gathered much media space. But the farmers and labourers were called ‘naxals’ and there were futile attempts to silence them. But now, with bigger conspiracy of ‘plotting the assassination of Modi’ is being attributed to them, the naxals. With this cops have tried to aim at two aspects. One is to ensure dalits stay off any movements, especially that of Koregaon kind of movements. Second one is to erode sympathy among dalits about their own counterparts. This may also put an end to Koregaon kind of marches and celebrations. Later, if Dalits are blamed for plotting Modi’s assassination, the PM would naturally claim a good share of sympathy votes, making significant contribution to 2019 elections. More than this, activists and others would be arrested without any particular reason, because they are turning into quite a challenge for the current ruling dispensation. All this is a preparation for that. If this continues, hundreds of dalits will have to join many muslims who have been rotting in jail for no reason at all. However Dalits and other communities have to ensure they protest against such immature allegations that are made with mala fide intentions.
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CJI calls for 'unified judicial policy', use of technology to converge practices across courts
Jaisalmer (PTI): Pushing for a "unified judicial policy", Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday said technology can help align standards and practices across courts, creating a "seamless experience" for citizens, regardless of their location.
He said high courts -- due to the federal structure -- have had their own practices and technological capacities, and "regional barriers" can be broken down with technology to create a more unified judicial ecosystem.
Delivering the keynote address at the West Zone Regional Conference in Jaisalmer, Kant proposed the idea of a "national judicial ecosystem" and called for an overhaul of India's judicial system with the integration of technology.
"Today, as technology reduces geographical barriers and enables convergence, it invites us to think of justice not as regional systems operating in parallel, but as one national ecosystem with shared standards, seamless interfaces, and coordinated goals," he said.
He emphasised how the role of technology in the judiciary has evolved over time.
"Technology is no longer merely an administrative convenience. It has evolved into a constitutional instrument that strengthens equality before the law, expands access to justice, and enhances institutional efficiency," he said, highlighting how digital tools can bridge gaps in the judicial system.
Kant pointed out that technology enables the judiciary to overcome the limitations of physical distance and bureaucratic hurdles.
"It allows the judiciary to transcend physical barriers and bureaucratic rigidities to deliver outcomes that are timely, transparent and principled," he said, adding that the effective use of technology can modernise the delivery of justice and make it more accessible to citizens across the country.
The CJI called for implementing a "unified judicial policy".
He said India's judicial system has long been shaped by its federal structure, and different high courts have their own practices and technological capacities.
"India's vast diversity has led to different high courts evolving their own practices, administrative priorities and technological capacities. This variation, though natural in a federal democracy, has resulted in uneven experiences for litigants across the country," he said.
Kant underscored that predictability is crucial for building trust in the judicial system.
"A core expectation citizens place upon the courts is predictability," he said, adding that citizens should not only expect fair treatment but also consistency in how cases are handled across the country.
He pointed to the potential of technology in improving predictability.
"Technology enables us to track systemic delays and make problems visible rather than concealed," he said.
By identifying areas where delays occur, such as in bail matters or cases involving certain types of disputes, courts can take targeted action to address these issues and improve efficiency, Kant said.
The CJI explained that data-driven tools could identify the reasons behind delays or bottlenecks, allowing for faster, more focused solutions.
"Technology enables prioritisation by flagging sensitive case categories, monitoring pendency in real time and ensuring transparent listing protocols," he said.
Justice Surya Kant also discussed the importance of prioritising urgent cases where delays could result in significant harm. He highlighted his recent administrative order that ensures urgent cases, such as bail petitions or habeas corpus cases, are listed within two days of curing defects.
"Where delay causes deep harm, the system must respond with urgency," he stated, explaining that technology can help courts identify and expedite such cases.
Kant also raised the issue of the clarity of judicial decisions.
He noted that many litigants, despite winning cases, often struggle to understand the terms of their judgment due to complex legal language.
"Although the orders had gone in their favour, they remained unsure of what relief they had actually secured because the language was too technical, vague or evasive to understand," he said.
He advocated for more uniformity in how judgments are written.
"A unified judicial approach must therefore extend to how we communicate outcomes," he said.
The CJI also discussed the role of AI and digital tools in improving case management. He pointed to the potential of AI-based research assistants and digital case management systems to streamline judicial processes.
"Emerging technological tools are now capable of performing once-unthinkable functions. They can highlight missing precedent references, cluster similar legal questions, and simplify factual narration," he said, explaining how these technologies can help judges make more consistent decisions.
He also highlighted tools like the National Judicial Data Grid and e-courts, which are already helping to standardise processes like case filings and tracking.
Kant reiterated that the integration of technology into the judicial process is not just about improving efficiency but about upholding the integrity of the system and strengthening public trust.
"The measure of innovation is not the complexity of the software we deploy, but the simplicity with which a citizen understands the outcome of their case and believes that justice has been served," he said.
