The record
Written from the 1 report below. Nothing here is unsourced.
- VCK MP D. Ravikumar raised the issue in Parliament under Rule 377, urging the Union government to stop using derogatory caste names in the Census and official documents, including caste certificates for Scheduled Castes in Tamil Nadu.
- He argued that such terms dehumanise and stigmatise entire communities, and noted that using them to insult Scheduled Castes is an offence under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
- He cited a 1922 Justice Party Government Order in the Madras Presidency that replaced derogatory terms with 'Adi Dravidar', and said it is contradictory for the government to still recognise such names in official records.
- He appealed to the government to direct the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India to discontinue the practice.
What to watch next
- Whether the Union government responds to the appeal and directs the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India to change the practice
- Any follow-up in Parliament or government orders on caste nomenclature in Census records and caste certificates
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Named India · D. Ravikumar · Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India · Union government · Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi
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