Bhubaneswar, Aug 12: The Odisha government on Tuesday announced a complete ban on the use of the term ‘Harijan’ in all forms of official communication. The directive, issued by the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC), mandates that the term be removed from government institutions, educational establishments, and public records, officials said.

The OHRC guidelines emphasize that the term ‘Harijan’, though historically used, is considered inappropriate and outdated. Instead, the constitutionally recognized term ‘Scheduled Caste’ must be used in all official contexts. This includes caste certificates, administrative records, publications, and any form of government correspondence.

The directive applies to all government offices across the state, and strict compliance has been instructed. The move aligns with broader national efforts to eliminate terminology that may carry condescending or stigmatizing connotations for historically marginalized communities.

The term ‘Harijan’, meaning “children of God,” was popularized by Mahatma Gandhi but has since been criticized for being patronizing and not reflective of the constitutional identity of Dalit communities. Activists and scholars have long advocated for the use of legally and socially accurate terms such as ‘Scheduled Caste’ to uphold dignity and equality.

This decision marks a progressive step in Odisha’s commitment to human rights and social justice. By standardizing respectful terminology, the government aims to foster a more inclusive administrative and educational environment.

The OHRC has also called for awareness and training among officials to ensure proper implementation of the directive. Any violation of the guidelines may attract scrutiny and corrective action.

With this move, Odisha joins a growing list of states that are revising official language to reflect constitutional values and promote respectful representation of marginalized communities.
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