Trichy streets want to let go caste identities

Time of India

a day ago

Trichy: In what is seen as a drawback for a city known for its secular fabric, at least 30 prominent roads and streets in Trichy continue to bear caste and communal identities. While a few of them with neutral names were recently renamed by Trichy corporation to honour renowned personalities from the city, there are demands to rename streets with caste and communal names on priority and avoid getting stereotyped.
Known for its pluralism, Trichy has elected candidates of non-dominant castes and religions as well as non-natives in assembly and parliament elections. However, the city with 65 wards and around 20 to 122 streets per ward, has at least 30 major streets and roads bearing caste names. Some of these include Kalla streets, Kura street, Arunthathiyar nagar, Vellala street, Muslim streets, Palla street, and Saurashtra streets.
While there is no major opposition from residents to street names with backward or forward class names, those from streets bearing SC/ST names are uneasy. "A century ago, streets were named based on the dominant caste of the residents, but that is a thing of the past. Caste-based streets can be renamed after deserving national and state leaders," K Suresh, councillor, ward 23 said. A handful of streets also bear demeaning names referring to liquor, drainage and crematorium, much to the embarrassment of residents.
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"There is one Keela Saarayapattarai (reference to liquor sold) street in Woraiyur. Youths while applying for jobs and interviews feel uncomfortable mentioning their address. Same is the case with youths from streets carrying caste identities," P Lenin, district president, DYFI, said. Drainage street and Sudukadu (cremation ground) road in Srirangam are among names that do not go well with locals. "Renaming caste-based names into neutral names is a welcome move, but it should not just be a cosmetic change," justice K Chandru, former judge of Madras high court, said.
Recently, Trichy corporation renamed four roads and streets after Kargil war martyr Major Saravanan, late nadaswaram artist Dr Sheik Chinna Moulana, and late poet and writer Nandalala. However, the previous names of the roads and streets were caste neutral too. "We will prepare a list of caste-based street names and send it to the municipal administration department to get their approval. The council shall pass a resolution for name changes in consultation with the municipal administration minister and senior officials," mayor Mu Anbalagan told TOI.
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