Malayalam profanity 'son of a prostitute' not a casteist slur Under SC/ST Act : Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court ruled that the Malayalam phrase pulayadi mone (meaning "son of a prostitute") is not a casteist slur under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

The case involved a vehicle dispute where a Pulaya community member alleged abuse by the accused.

The Court observed that the altercation lacked the intent to humiliate based on caste and occurred without public witnesses.

The Court clarified that insults must specifically target a person’s caste to constitute an offense under the Act.

Consequently, Anticipatory bail was granted, dismissing the charges under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of the Act.