Depts asked not to use the term ‘harijan'
The letter was sent to all the additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries and commissioner-cum-secretaries, the officials said. 'They have been instructed to ensure that the word 'harijan' does not appear in any official communications, records, transactions, caste certificates, publications, departmental names or any other form of use,' an official said. The authorities concerned are also directed to educate their staff and update existing documents and records accordingly, he said.
They are also told to submit a compliance report on the action taken on the matter, another official said. The State government's action came in the wake of the guidelines issued by the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC), prohibiting the use of the word 'harijan'. These guidelines will be strictly enforced in all government offices, the official said. In 1982, the Centre had asked all State governments not to use the term 'harijan' to refer to Dalits. Following fresh guidelines prepared by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, a similar order was also issued in 2013 to all the States, directing them to ensure non-use of the word 'harijan' not only in caste certificates but also in official communications, the officials said. The Odisha Assembly has also prohibited the use of the word 'harijan', they said.
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