Caste stickers on vehicles: Around 600 penalised in Noida

Around 600 owners and drivers were issued challans in Noida and Greater Noida on Saturday for caste stickers on their vehicles.

“On Saturday, 594 vehicle owners were issued challans for having stickers or paints that identified castes. All such stickers and paints were removed during the campaign held across the district," a police spokesperson was quoted by news agency PTI.

Gautam Buddh Nagar Police have cautioned vehicle owners against putting up caste-identifying stickers on their cars or motorcycles in violation of road traffic rules.

The action came during a campaign launched on instructions of Gautam Buddh Nagar Police Commissioner Alok Singh.

Earlier, in December last year, the Uttar Pradesh government had issued order to take punitive action against vehicles displaying caste identities. The order dated December 24 was sent by Uttar Pradesh Additional Transport Commissioner Mukesh Chandra to all Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) of the states asking them to seize all vehicles displaying caste identities.

According to the order copy, the transport department took the decision after one Harshal Prabhu of Kalyan, Maharashtra urged the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to direct all the states to take punitive actions and seize vehicles displaying caste identities.

"You are ordered to ensure the action immediately as per the rules," the order addressed to RTOs said. The order also attached a copy of the complaint letter of Harshal Prabhu.Prabhu wrote the letter on IGRS, an integrated system designed for the redressal of grievances. In the letter, he said that the display of such stickers is a threat to the social fabric of society.

"We came across a trend in Uttar Pradesh and other states too where near about everyone are using caste names on the number plate and vehicles to glorify their identities. Such glorification must be stopped as there can be a rivalry too which can create law and order situation in the state. I request to immediately stop such glorification of caste on vehicles and immediately seize the vehicles without any further notice," the letter written on December 4 by Prabhu to PMO read.

(With inputs from agencies)

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