Daijiworld Media Network - Chandigarh

Chandigarh, Jan 14: The Haryana government has directed all its departments, public sector undertakings, educational institutions and other authorities to strictly avoid the use of the terms ‘Harijan’ and ‘Girijan’ in official communications while referring to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

The directive was issued by the Haryana Chief Secretary’s Office through a letter circulated on Tuesday to all Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Boards, Corporations, Public Sector Undertakings, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Sub-Divisional Officers (Civil) and Registrars of Universities across the state.

An official statement said the move follows a review by the state government, during which it was observed that certain departments were not strictly adhering to existing instructions issued by the Government of India regarding the terminology to be used for SCs and STs.

The letter reiterates that the Constitution of India does not use the expressions ‘Harijan’ or ‘Girijan’ to denote Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. It also recalls that the central government has clearly mandated the discontinuation of these terms in all official dealings.

While Mahatma Gandhi had referred to Scheduled Castes as ‘Harijans’, meaning ‘people of God’, Dr B R Ambedkar had opposed the usage and preferred the term ‘Dalits’.

“Consequently, all departments and authorities have been directed to ensure full compliance with the central government’s guidelines and to discontinue the usage of the terms ‘Harijan’ and ‘Girijan’ in all official records, correspondence and communications,” the statement added.