Punjab Scheduled Castes panel seeks removal of 'derogatory' terms in Census draft forms

Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission chairman Jasvir Singh Garhi on Tuesday met the chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) India, seeking the removal of alleged ''derogatory and prohibited words'' for Scheduled Castes in the draft forms prepared for Census 2027.

The NCSC has issued notices to the Punjab government and the Directorate of Census Operations over a complaint alleging the use of ''casteist'' words in an official list.

According to an official spokesperson, the the Punjab State SC Commission approached the national body to ensure that insulting and socially discriminatory terminology used in Census 2027 lists and online self-enumeration portals is promptly withdrawn.

The action follows a formal complaint registered with the Punjab SC panel, which prompted its chairman to take up the matter.

In the memorandum submitted to the NCSC, Garhi emphasised that the continued use of such language in official documents constitutes a direct violation of Articles 14 (Equality), 17 (Abolition of Untouchability), and 21 (Right to Life with Dignity) of the Constitution of India.

The memorandum requested immediate removal of all objectionable terms from the census formats and the self-enumeration portal and proposed measures to prevent recurrence of similar incidents in future census processes.

The state SC commission urged the national authorities to take urgent corrective action and to ensure that census materials respect the dignity and constitutional rights of Scheduled Caste communities.

''It is most respectfully recommended that the government of India may take immediate steps to direct removal or substitution of derogatory terminology from Census formats and digital platforms, ensure adoption of dignified and community-accepted nomenclature, and initiate appropriate legislative measures to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Orders so as to remove obsolete and offensive expressions.

It is further recommended that a uniform and verified list be standardized across all states and that consultation be undertaken with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, state commissions and representatives of the concerned communities prior to finalization of such nomenclature,'' read the memorandum submitted to the NCSC.

This comes on the same day as notices to the Punjab government and the Directorate of Census Operations by the NCSC over a complaint alleging the use of ''casteist'' and derogatory words in an official list for the upcoming census exercise in the state.

The commission sought an action taken report within 15 days from the Director of Census Operations, Punjab, and the Principal Secretary of the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Punjab government.

The complaint was submitted to NCSC Chairperson Kishor Makwana by Hardeep Singh Gill, Vice-Chairperson of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)