Article 15 of Constitution of India, prohibits discrimination based on religion, caste, sex, place of birth and race. ‘Article 15’ is also a 2019 Bollywood film, directed and produced by Anubhav Sinha, focusing on sensitive issues like crime, caste-based discrimination and concealed role of caste in Indian politics. The movie is inspired by multiple real life events in Indian society and portrays systematic inequalities and social injustice in rural India. Set in rural Uttar Pradesh, the movie showcases the story of a police officer investigating the rape case of 2 girls from lower caste, implying the existence of caste rigidities, biased law enforcement and extreme corruption. Thus, this movie reveals the harsh truths and policy failures, especially in rural India.

1. Institutionalized Corruption

The movie illustrates one of the most harmful and pervasive issues in India, that is corruption, at all levels of the system. Beginning with the police force, the local police are themselves involved in caste-based discrimination, as well as ignore all the crimes that take place against marginalized sections. Even the political authorities cover up heinous crimes committed against the lower castes. This widespread corruption has an adverse impact on serving justice to the victims, and in turn encourages criminal activity.

2. Systematic Inequalities

Article 15 that prohibits discrimination in India has failed to end caste-based discrimination in rural India. The movie portrays how deeply entrenched caste inequalities are in Indian society. Several instances of untouchable practices and unequal distribution of resources and opportunities in the movie show the extreme divide and societal hierarchies. Even the protagonist police officer, faces disrespect from other upper caste officers, highlighting the social stigma and caste-based segregation even in the law enforcement. Apart from this, even the women in that village suffer from unequal treatment and gender violence. Hence the movie touches upon the intersection of caste and gender inequality.

3. Caste-based Violence

The core theme of this movie is the murder and rape of 2 girls, because of their caste. It unveils how prevalent caste-based violence is, even today, and how the system is unable to put an end to it. Caste-based oppression has become so severe in India that it has taken the form of extreme violence. Individuals belonging to lower castes face abuse regularly, and are not even given a fair chance to achieve justice. It shows the failures of the system in protecting the rights and dignity of marginalized sections of society.

4. Failure of Judiciary

This movie illustrates how corrupt the judiciary can be. Starting from the investigation delay and negligence from the judicial authorities at every step, depicts how the judiciary lacks accountability. It is also tremendously influenced by the powerful elites and upper castes. The judiciary, meant to safeguard the rights of all citizens, falls short to protect the vulnerables.

5. Political Elitism

Throughout the movie, we see how power is concentrated in the hands of few, because of their class, caste or gender and it is misused by them. And, the protagonist faces resistance by the elites in order to maintain the status quo of social hierarchies. The powerful politicians have significant influence on law enforcement, which affects the investigation adversely, and fails to bring justice to the victim. The movie also depicts the role of caste in politics, and voting patterns to keep certain people in power.

This movie played a huge role in conveying the uncomfortable realities of caste in India, and inefficiency of the political system. It had a substantial impact on the public perception of crime and corruption, especially by bringing forth the obscured conditions in rural areas to the urban residents. Movies like these try to hold the government accountable for its policy and enforcement failures and its consequences.