Bhubaneswar, Aug 12: The Odisha government has issued a directive instructing all public institutions, educational establishments, and government departments to stop using the term “Harijan” in any form of official communication or documentation.
In a formal notification, the Department of ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare has advised all Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and Commissioner-cum-Secretaries that the term “Harijan” should no longer appear in official records, correspondence, caste certificates, publications, departmental titles, or any other context.
The government emphasized that only the term “Scheduled Caste”—as recognized under Article 341 of the Indian Constitution—should be used. This term may be used in English, Odia, or any other Constitutionally recognized national language as appropriate.
The directive also calls for immediate efforts to raise awareness among officers and staff regarding this change. Additionally, departments have been asked to review and update existing documents and records to ensure compliance with the new instructions wherever feasible.
