Study Says Supreme Court Language Still Hurts Dalit Rights
A new study says the Supreme Court language has not always supported the dignity of Dalits in India. Researchers note that the Court often defends Dalit rights; however, its words sometimes reflect social hierarchies. As a result, the study raises fresh questions about how the judiciary discusses one of India’s most marginalised communities.
Study Highlights Tensions in Court Language
Dalits make up about 160 million people. They have faced centuries of discrimination and exclusion. Many still work in low-paid jobs and struggle for equal access to education and opportunity. Therefore, how the country’s top judges speak about them matters deeply.
The research highlights a long-standing tension. Court rulings may favour Dalit rights, yet the language in those same judgments can reinforce stigma. This contrast appears repeatedly across decades of legal records.
A Review of 75 Years of Judgments
The study comes from the University of Melbourne, working in partnership with India’s Supreme Court. It offers a rare look at how judges have framed caste issues since 1950. In addition, it focuses on “constitution bench” rulings, which involve five or more judges and shape long-term legal precedent.
These rulings influence law schools, courtrooms and future benches. Therefore, the words used in them carry significant weight. The review found several examples where judgments described caste oppression through comparisons that felt “demeaning or insensitive”.
Professor Farrah Ahmed of Melbourne Law School, a co-author of the report, says that some rulings even compare caste discrimination to disability. This comparison can imply that people who face either experience are somehow inferior, which harms dignity and understanding. The study argues that language must evolve, especially when legal outcomes aim to support equality.
The findings encourage judges, lawyers and scholars to reflect on how inclusive language can strengthen the fight against caste discrimination.
