Chandigarh [India], February 3 (HBTV): The Haryana government has directed all state officials to discontinue the use of the terms ‘Harijan’ and ‘Girijan’ in official correspondence, reiterating long-standing instructions issued by the Central government.
In a letter issued to Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Sub-Divisional Officers (Civil), Registrars of universities and heads of boards, corporations and public sector undertakings, the state government referred to directions issued by the Centre in August 1990.
‘It has been observed that the terms “Harijan” and “Girijan” are still being used by certain state authorities in official correspondence and related matters,’ the letter stated.
The communication noted that the Constitution does not use these expressions for denoting Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. It added that several departments had failed to adhere to the Central government’s instructions dated August 16, 1990.
‘All departments are therefore directed to strictly comply with the Central government instructions contained in the letter and discontinue the use of the terms “Harijan” and “Girijan” in all official matters,’ the letter said.
(ANI)