The Supreme Court of India has requested the Attorney General of India to examine a plea seeking the formulation of guidelines to curb racial discrimination and violence, following concerns raised in connection with the alleged murder of Anjel Chakma.
The public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the backdrop of Chakma’s death in Dehradun. The petitioner urged the Court to frame comprehensive directions to address what was described as a pattern of racially motivated hostility faced by individuals from the northeastern states and other minority communities living outside their home regions.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court acknowledged that the issues raised touched upon significant constitutional values, including equality before law and protection against discrimination based on race, place of birth, or language. However, instead of issuing judicial guidelines at this stage, the bench chose to dispose of the petition with liberty to the petitioner to approach the Attorney General so that the matter could be considered by the Union Government at an appropriate level.
The plea had sought the creation of dedicated mechanisms such as nodal agencies, specialised police units to investigate racially motivated crimes, and protocols to ensure that such offences are identified and handled with due seriousness from the outset. It also called for clearer recognition of racially driven violence within the criminal justice framework.
While refraining from passing substantive directions, the Supreme Court’s order signals that the concerns surrounding racial violence merit institutional attention and policy-level consideration.
