Odisha Government Bans Use of 'Harijan' in Official Communications

Official Directive Against 'Harijan'

The Odisha government has issued a directive prohibiting the use of the term 'Harijan' in all official communications across its departments, public institutions, and educational establishments. This announcement was made by officials on Wednesday.

According to a letter released on Tuesday by the Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Scheduled Caste (SC) Development and Minority and Backward Classes Welfare Department, the government has instructed relevant authorities to use terms like 'Scheduled Caste' in English and 'अनुसूचित जाति' in Odia or other national languages when referring to individuals belonging to the notified Scheduled Castes under Article 341 of the Constitution.

This letter has been circulated to all additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries, and commissioners-cum-secretaries. An official stated, 'They have been directed to ensure that the term 'Harijan' is not used in any official communications, records, transactions, caste certificates, publications, departmental names, or any other forms.'

Furthermore, authorities have been instructed to inform their staff about this directive and to update existing documents and records accordingly. Another official mentioned that they are also required to submit a compliance report regarding the actions taken in this matter.

This decision by the state government follows guidelines issued by the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC), which imposed a ban on the use of the term 'Harijan'.