Newsbytes
  • India
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Auto
  • Lifestyle
  • Inspirational
  • Career
  • Bengaluru
  • Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Videos
  • Visual Stories
  • Reviews
  • Phone Reviews
  • Fitness Bands Reviews
  • Speakers Reviews
  • Find Cricket Statistics
Hindi
More
In the news
Maharashtra
Monsoon
Udaipur
Coronavirus Cases In India
Gyanvapi Mosque
Mohammed Zubair
Newsbytes
Hindi
Newsbytes
User Placeholder

Hi,

Logout


India
Business
World
Politics
Sports
Technology
Entertainment
Auto
Lifestyle
Inspirational
Career
Bengaluru
Delhi
Mumbai
Videos
Visual Stories
Reviews
Phone Reviews
Fitness Bands Reviews
Speakers Reviews
Find Cricket Statistics

More Links
  • Videos

Download Android App

Follow us on
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
 
Home / News / India News / Media should stop using the word "Dalit", says government
India

Media should stop using the word "Dalit", says government

Media should stop using the word "Dalit", says government
Written by Shiladitya Ray
Sep 04, 2018, 12:07 pm 3 min read
Media should stop using the word "Dalit", says government
Credits:

In a letter, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed media outlets to refrain from using the word "Dalit" henceforth. Instead, the ministry has directed that the Constitutionally-recognized term, "Schedule Castes" be used. Understandably, Dalit groups have opposed the ministry's order, saying that the term holds immense political significance and is a marker of identity. Here are the details.

Context
In March, all state governments had received a similar advisory

In March, the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment had issued an advisory to all state governments, directing that only the term "Scheduled Castes" could be used in all official communication. Subsequently, in June, the Bombay High Court had directed the Central government to "consider" issuing such a directive to media houses within six weeks. The I&B ministry's advisory cited the HC directive.

Dalit
The historical and political significance of the word "Dalit"

The Sanskrit word Dalit, meaning "oppressed" or "broken", was popularized by Dr. BR Ambedkar, who himself was an SC. Later, in the 1970s, the term gained even more traction after it was adopted by activist group Dalit Panthers. The word has become a strong political identity for people who have been subjected to untouchability, and view themselves as outside the four-varna Hindu fold.

Expert opinion
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale finds the directive meaningless

Commenting on the advisory, Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale, who was associated with Dalit Panthers, said that there's "no reason" as to why media can't use the term. "Most Dalit groups don't have a problem. It is, in fact, a word that instilled a sense of militancy in Ambedkarites - the need to be krantikaris when faced with injustice," he explained.

Expert opinion
Banning the word is akin to denial of identity

Professor Sukhadeo Thorat, the former UGC chairman, said that there was nothing derogatory about the word. Meanwhile, Asha Kowtal from the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights said that the term gave oppressed people a "collective identity" and banning it would be tantamount to the government denying these people their hard-won identities. She said that they would move the Supreme Court, if required.

Quote
The move is part of the government's anti-Dalit stance

"It [Dalit] marks the shift from brokenness to strength and power. We see this as part of the larger scheme of what the government is doing to the community, the anti-reservation discourse, the attempt to erase our identity little by little," explained Kowtal.

Share this timeline
Facebook
Whatsapp
Twitter
Linkedin
Shiladitya Ray
Shiladitya Ray
Mail
Budding social scientist with a keen interest in social studies of science and the sociology of knowledge. Cinephile. Liverpudlian. Metalhead.
Latest
India
Supreme Court Of India
Dalit
Bombay High Court
BR Ambedkar
Latest
England vs India, 1st T20I: Rohit Sharma elects to bat
England vs India, 1st T20I: Rohit Sharma elects to bat Sports
2022 Wimbledon: Elena Rybakina beats Simona Halep to reach final
2022 Wimbledon: Elena Rybakina beats Simona Halep to reach final Sports
'Koffee With Karan' S7 Episode 1: 5 key Ranveer-Alia moments
'Koffee With Karan' S7 Episode 1: 5 key Ranveer-Alia moments Entertainment
Who is Rishi Sunak, top contender for UK PM
Who is Rishi Sunak, top contender for UK PM World
5 scandals that brought Boris Johnson down
5 scandals that brought Boris Johnson down World
India
New COVID-19 sub-variant BA 2.75 detected in India: WHO
New COVID-19 sub-variant BA 2.75 detected in India: WHO India
How to pay e-challans or fines for traffic violations online?
How to pay e-challans or fines for traffic violations online? India
Students display innovation prowess at IIT Bombay's Invention Factory 2022
Students display innovation prowess at IIT Bombay's Invention Factory 2022 Career
New motorcycle launches expected in 2022: Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Suzuki, TVS
New motorcycle launches expected in 2022: Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Suzuki, TVS Auto
Formula E confirms Hyderabad E-Prix for February 2023
Formula E confirms Hyderabad E-Prix for February 2023 Auto
More News
Supreme Court Of India
In SC petition, fact-checker Mohammed Zubair cites death threats
In SC petition, fact-checker Mohammed Zubair cites death threats India
With new chief whip, Thackeray, Shinde face-off reaches Lok Sabha
With new chief whip, Thackeray, Shinde face-off reaches Lok Sabha Politics
Ajmer Dargah Khadim arrested over 'beheading' remarks against Nupur Sharma
Ajmer Dargah Khadim arrested over 'beheading' remarks against Nupur Sharma India
Ex-judges, veterans slam SC judges' observations on Nupur Sharma
Ex-judges, veterans slam SC judges' observations on Nupur Sharma India
Man sells chicken wrapped in paper with Hindu gods, arrested
Man sells chicken wrapped in paper with Hindu gods, arrested India
More News
Dalit
Why is BJP reaching out to Pasmanda Muslims? Who're they?
Why is BJP reaching out to Pasmanda Muslims? Who're they? Politics
UP orders investigation into Ayodhya temple land deals after exposé
UP orders investigation into Ayodhya temple land deals after exposé India
Dalit girl rape: SDM seeks protection of victim's parents, witnesses
Dalit girl rape: SDM seeks protection of victim's parents, witnesses Delhi
'200 Halla Ho' trailer: Dalit women's oppression and their rebellion
'200 Halla Ho' trailer: Dalit women's oppression and their rebellion Entertainment
UP: Dalit woman accuses man of rape, blackmail, forced conversion
UP: Dalit woman accuses man of rape, blackmail, forced conversion India
More News
Bombay High Court
Protest against Metro Car Shed in Aarey gains steam again
Protest against Metro Car Shed in Aarey gains steam again India
#JiahKhanDeathCase: Sooraj Pancholi seeks non-bailable warrant for Khan's mother, Rabia
#JiahKhanDeathCase: Sooraj Pancholi seeks non-bailable warrant for Khan's mother, Rabia Entertainment
No international link in Cordelia drugs case: NCB DG
No international link in Cordelia drugs case: NCB DG India
2019 Hyderabad Disha case accused encounter 'fake,' says SC panel
2019 Hyderabad Disha case accused encounter 'fake,' says SC panel India
Sheena Bora murder: SC grants bail to Indrani Mukerjea
Sheena Bora murder: SC grants bail to Indrani Mukerjea India
More News
BR Ambedkar
Bengaluru: Rs. 6 crore roadwork for PM visit washed away
Bengaluru: Rs. 6 crore roadwork for PM visit washed away India
5 must-read autobiographies of Indian personalities
5 must-read autobiographies of Indian personalities Lifestyle
Renaming district: Violent protesters in Andhra set minister's house ablaze
Renaming district: Violent protesters in Andhra set minister's house ablaze India
Republic Day 2022: Powerful quotes by BR Ambedkar
Republic Day 2022: Powerful quotes by BR Ambedkar Lifestyle
Pa Ranjith to present documentary on his idol, BR Ambedkar
Pa Ranjith to present documentary on his idol, BR Ambedkar Entertainment
More News
Next News Article
Next News Article

Love India news?

Subscribe to stay updated.

India Thumbnail
India News Business News World News Politics News Sports News Technology News Entertainment News Auto News Lifestyle News Inspirational News
Career News Bengaluru News Delhi News Mumbai News Mukesh Ambani Indian Premier League (IPL) Karnataka Samsung Xiaomi West Bengal
Bihar Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Haryana Narendra Modi Arvind Kejriwal Tamil Nadu Gujarat Yogi Adityanath YouTube
Instagram Hollywood News Uttar Pradesh Kerala Netflix Bollywood News Mamata Banerjee Maruti Suzuki Rahul Gandhi Elon Musk
Shah Rukh Khan Chelsea FC OPPO Akhilesh Yadav Indian Cricket Team Apple Manchester United Salman Khan Cryptocurrency OnePlus
Amitabh Bachchan ICC Women's World Cup Vivo India vs Sri Lanka
About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive IPL 2022 Schedule IPL 2022 Points Table Find Cricket Statistics
Follow us on
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube
All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2022