Don’t use the terms Harija, Girijan, Bhangi, Chamar, Instead use alternate prescribed terms: Govt reminder to district offices

Gandhinagar: The Government of Gujarat has in a letter issued a reminder for using alternate words for the terms Harijan, Chamar and Bhangi.

According to a letter sent by the Director of Schedule Caste Welfare, Gandhinagar to all district colletors, district development officers, district education officers and district primary education officers, the earlier instructions of using alternative words for the terms, Harijan, Chamar and Bhangi have not seen proper implemention, and representations regarding the same are received by the Director office.\

The Director office has in its letter further quoted the year 1999 circular by the Social Justice and Empowerment department, Gandhinagar that instructed for not using the terms – Harijan for Schedule Caste people and Girijan for Schedule Tribe people.

The Director office has also mentioned the year 2001 resolution for not using the word ‘Bhangi’ in communication, and year 2016 circular for not using the term ‘Chamar’. The Director office has reminded not to use Harijan and Girijan words. The director office has also asked to use Valmiki or Rukhi terms in replacement to the word Bhangi and to use the term Rohit instead of Chamar. DeshGujarat