Introduction:
In a landmark step reflecting judicial activism and moral conscience, the Madhya Pradesh High Court, in the case Court in its Own Motion v. Director General of Police [W.P No. 41264/2025], took suo motu cognizance of a deeply disturbing incident captured in a viral video. The video, circulated widely across YouTube and social media platforms, depicted a young man belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community being forced to wash the feet of an upper-caste individual and drink that water as a form of public atonement. The event reportedly occurred in a temple in Gram Satariya, Damoh district, and was allegedly orchestrated by a local Panchayat as punishment for the young man’s act of creating an AI-generated meme showing the upper-caste individual wearing a garland of footwear. Shocked by the act’s barbarity, the Division Bench comprising Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Pradeep Mittal expressed grave concern over the rise of caste-based humiliation and discrimination in the State. The Court, while issuing strong directions to the Damoh administration and the police, ordered immediate invocation of the National Security Act (NSA) against all those involved in the incident, asserting that such acts of caste dominance and public degradation strike at the core of constitutional morality and public order.
Arguments and Background of the Case:
The suo motu case emerged from YouTube news reports and digital media coverage that exposed the incident to public scrutiny. The video depicted a shocking scene where a young man, belonging to the OBC community, was coerced into washing the feet of a person named Annu Pandey and forced to drink the same water within a temple premises. The coercion was allegedly intended as a ritual of ‘atonement’ for his supposed insult to the upper-caste man, against whom he had earlier created an AI-generated video meme. According to reports, the Panchayat had earlier fined Annu Pandey for selling liquor in a self-imposed dry village. In response to this fine, the victim had humorously created the meme, which infuriated sections of the upper-caste community. The Panchayat, succumbing to caste bias, convened a meeting where the mob decided that the victim must be publicly humiliated in the temple.
When the video surfaced online, it triggered public outrage, with civil society organizations, journalists, and digital rights activists condemning the inhuman act as a gross violation of Article 14 (equality before law) and Article 21 (protection of life and personal liberty) of the Constitution. The Damoh Police registered a case under Section 296 (obscene acts in public places) and Section 196(1)(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) concerning acts prejudicial to communal harmony. However, the High Court, taking suo motu cognizance, questioned the applicability of these provisions, terming them inadequate and misdirected. The Bench observed that the act, occurring inside a temple and motivated by caste hierarchy, clearly attracted Section 196(2) of the BNS (offences committed at places of religious worship) and could also amount to criminal intimidation (Section 351) and use of criminal force (Section 133).
The Court noted that despite the absence of explicit vocal threats, the sheer presence of a large group surrounding the victim, compelling him to perform humiliating acts, constituted coercion and intimidation. Further, the Court pointed out that after the incident went viral, another video surfaced where the victim—visibly uncomfortable—claimed that the act was consensual and that Annu Pandey was his “Guru.” However, the Bench carefully examined the video and noted that the man’s eyes were moving side to side, indicating that he was reading from a prepared script placed before him, suggesting a clear attempt to manipulate or retract his earlier humiliation under duress.
Court’s Observations:
In a detailed and powerful order, the Madhya Pradesh High Court condemned the incident as an alarming reflection of the deep-rooted caste consciousness plaguing Indian society. The Bench stated, “Each caste has become vociferous and ultra-conscious of its caste identity and leaves no measure unturned to demonstrate pride in belonging to a particular caste. This is giving rise to several instances of caste violence.” The judges observed that caste-based discrimination and violence often target the most vulnerable, illiterate, and impoverished sections of society, who have neither the resources nor the influence to resist oppression.
Drawing from past incidents, the Court highlighted the recurring pattern of caste atrocities in Madhya Pradesh. It recalled the infamous case where a person from the general category urinated on the head of a tribal man—a shocking act that forced even the then Chief Minister to wash the victim’s feet as a symbolic gesture of apology. The Bench lamented that such incidents were not isolated but part of a disturbing trend of increasing caste polarization and violence.
The judges further remarked that the Hindu community itself is becoming internally divided along caste lines, with individuals identifying themselves more as Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, or Shudras, rather than simply as Hindus. The Court warned that “if things continue unchecked, within a century and a half, the people who call themselves Hindus will cease to exist, fighting amongst themselves.” The order emphasized that social media platforms and news outlets are rife with caste-based rhetoric, reinforcing divisions rather than promoting harmony.
The Bench also criticized the passive attitude of the State administration, which had failed to take decisive steps despite repeated caste-based incidents. The judges observed that the State’s inaction risked emboldening perpetrators and normalizing caste-based humiliation. “This Court would not usually have directed the police to proceed under the National Security Act as it is a matter of executive discretion,” the Bench noted, “but given the sensitivity and gravity of the situation, immediate action is necessary to prevent this evil symphony of caste acrimony and discrimination from reaching its crescendo.”
Court’s Directions and Judgment:
After reviewing the video evidence and police reports, the High Court directed the Damoh police and district administration to immediately identify all individuals visible in the video—especially those surrounding the victim and compelling him to wash and drink the water from another’s feet—and take action against them under both the registered FIR and the National Security Act (NSA). The Bench held that invoking the NSA was justified in this case, given the potential of such acts to disrupt public order and instigate communal unrest. The judges stressed that this was not merely a criminal act but a “symbolic act of social subjugation” that undermines human dignity and the constitutional vision of equality.
The Court also ordered the administration to ensure the safety and rehabilitation of the victim, directing that he be provided psychological and legal support. Additionally, the Bench asked the State to submit a compliance report detailing the steps taken to prevent recurrence of similar caste-related humiliations. The Court underscored the duty of police officials to act with sensitivity and immediacy in such cases, noting that “delay in response allows discrimination to morph into social terrorism.”
Further, the Bench observed that caste-based atrocities have become increasingly visible due to the penetration of social media, but instead of using technology for awareness and justice, society is often exploiting it for public shaming and domination. The Court cautioned media houses to report caste-related incidents responsibly, ensuring that such coverage does not sensationalize suffering or perpetuate stereotypes.
The judgment also made a philosophical reflection on the erosion of moral values and human empathy, noting that caste divisions, once thought to be fading with modernization, are now resurfacing with renewed aggression. The Bench stated that the judiciary cannot remain silent when the very principles of equality, liberty, and fraternity are mocked in public spaces. Justice Sreedharan and Justice Mittal’s remarks resonated deeply across the legal fraternity, as they invoked the Constitution’s Preamble to remind that every citizen’s dignity is sacred and non-negotiable.
In conclusion, the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s order is not merely a judicial response to an isolated act of caste discrimination but a clarion call to the administration, police, and society at large to confront casteism head-on. The suo motu intervention reflects the judiciary’s commitment to safeguarding the moral and constitutional fabric of India against divisive social practices. It sends an unmistakable message that acts of caste-based humiliation will be met with the full force of law, including preventive detention under the National Security Act, if necessary. The Court’s voice in this case is a moral wake-up call for a society that has too long normalized hierarchy and humiliation under the guise of tradition.