Archive · 5 Dec 2025
Study Reveals Caste Bias in Supreme Court Language
A new study looked at 75 years of big court decisions in India.
It found that even when the court helps Dalits, the words used often keep old unfair ideas alive.
The study says this happens because most judges haven't experienced caste discrimination.
They use words that might seem okay to them but hurt Dalits.
For example, they compare caste oppression to disability or say Dalits are like ordinary horses.
The study wants the court to use words that show respect and understand the deep problems of caste.
The court is starting to fix some old words, but the study says they need more judges who know about caste to make real change.
A study examined 75 years of constitutional bench verdicts in India.
The study found that judicial language often perpetuates caste hierarchies.
Only a few Dalit judges have served in the Court's history.
The study highlights harmful metaphors and analogies used in judgments.
The Court is beginning to address discriminatory language but needs more diverse representation.
- Who
- University of Melbourne in partnership with the Supreme Court of India
- What
- A study examining 75 years of constitutional bench verdicts
- When
- Not specified
- Where
- India
- Why
- To understand the language used in constitutional bench verdicts and its impact on caste hierarchies
- Study Duration
- 75 years
- Study Focus
- Constitutional bench verdicts
- Institution
- University of Melbourne
- Partnership
- Supreme Court of India
- Key Finding
- Judicial language often perpetuates caste hierarchies
- Dalit Judges
- Only a handful in the Court's history
- Recent Efforts
- Review of discriminatory practices and gender-stereotyped language