The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has sought action against Bigg Boss 16 contestant Vikkas Manaktala for his alleged casteist remark against co-contestant Archana Gautam. The remark was made during an episode of the TV reality show aired on Wednesday. Bigg Boss 16: Archana Gautam and Vikkas Manaktala Get Into a Massive Fight; the Actress-Politician Throws Hot Water at Him! (Watch Video).

In a notice issued to the Maharashtra government, state police, Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Endemol India Private Ltd, Viacom 18 Media Pvt Ltd and Colors TV, the commission said suo-motu cognizance has been taken on information received through social media regarding Manaktala calling Gautam "neech jati ke log" (a low caste person). Bigg Boss 16: Sreejita De and Vikkas Manaktala Enter As Wild Cards on Salman Khan's Reality Show (Watch Videos). 

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Gautam had unsuccessfully contested the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections on a Congress ticket. According to Indian law, the NCSC said, "this is clearly an offence punishable under SC/ST Act, and the Commission has decided to investigate into the matter in pursuance of the powers conferred upon it under Article 338 of the Constitution of India". "You are hereby requested to submit action taken report to the undersigned within seven days of receipt of this notice," it said in the notice.