Odisha govt bans use of term ‘Harijan’ in official communication

Bhubaneswar, Aug 13 (UNI) The Odisha government has instructed all departments, public institutions, and educational establishments to stop using the term “Harijan” in any official communication, records, or documents.

In a directive issued by the ST &SC Development, officials have been instructed that “The term ‘Harijan’ shall not be used in any official communications, records, transactions, caste certificates, publications, departmental names or otherwise.”

The notification further stated that “Only the constitutional term ‘Scheduled Caste’, in English and its appropriate translation in Odia or other national languages, shall be used for denoting persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes as notified under Article 341 of the Constitution of India.”

The directive also underlined strict adherence to the order by all “attached/autonomous bodies/subordinate offices.” It further called for sensitisation of all officers and staff “to ensure that existing documents or records are aligned with these instructions wherever feasible.”

Departments have also been asked to submit compliance reports to the Welfare Department.