Haryana Bans 'Harijan' and 'Girijan' in Official Communications
Haryana prohibits use of 'Harijan' and 'Girijan' in official communications.
Photo by Dibakar Roy
Key Facts
Haryana bans: 'Harijan', 'Girijan'
Target: Official communications
Reason: Not in Constitution
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper II: Social Justice, Governance
Constitutional provisions related to SCs and STs
Role of government policies in social inclusion
Visual Insights
States with Directives on Usage of Caste-Based Terms (2026)
This map highlights Haryana, the state that recently banned the use of 'Harijan' and 'Girijan' in official communications. It also shows other states that have issued similar directives or guidelines.
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More Information
Background
The terms 'Harijan' and 'Girijan' gained prominence through Mahatma Gandhi's efforts to uplift marginalized communities. 'Harijan,' meaning 'children of God,' was used to refer to those considered 'untouchable' within the Hindu caste system. Gandhi popularized this term in the 1930s through his newspaper 'Harijan,' aiming to integrate them into mainstream society and challenge discriminatory practices.
However, the term later became controversial as many Dalits felt it was patronizing and did not accurately reflect their socio-economic realities. 'Girijan,' referring to 'hill people,' was used for tribal communities, often residing in geographically isolated areas. While intended to acknowledge their distinct identity, it also carried connotations of being backward or less developed.
The Constitution of India, while aiming to protect and uplift these communities, does not use these specific terms, opting for 'Scheduled Castes' and 'Scheduled Tribes' to provide a legal and administrative framework for affirmative action.
Latest Developments
In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on using respectful and constitutionally recognized terms when referring to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Several states and institutions have issued directives similar to Haryana's, discouraging the use of 'Harijan' and 'Girijan' in official communications. This reflects a broader trend towards empowering marginalized communities by ensuring their representation and participation in decision-making processes.
The focus is shifting towards addressing systemic inequalities and promoting social justice through targeted policies and programs. The Government of India has also been actively promoting awareness campaigns to sensitize the public about the appropriate terminology and the importance of respecting the dignity and rights of all citizens. Future efforts are likely to concentrate on strengthening legal frameworks and implementing inclusive development strategies to uplift these communities.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the use of the term 'Harijan' in India: 1. The term was popularized by Mahatma Gandhi to refer to Scheduled Castes. 2. The Constitution of India explicitly uses the term 'Harijan' to define Scheduled Castes. 3. The term is universally accepted by all Scheduled Caste communities today. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A
Statement 1 is correct as Mahatma Gandhi popularized the term. Statement 2 is incorrect as the Constitution uses 'Scheduled Castes'. Statement 3 is incorrect as the term is not universally accepted.
2. Which of the following Articles of the Constitution of India directly addresses the social and educational upliftment of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes?
- A.Article 14
- B.Article 17
- C.Article 46
- D.Article 330
Show Answer
Answer: C
Article 46 of the Constitution directs the State to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and, in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, and to protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.
3. Assertion (A): The Haryana government banned the use of 'Harijan' and 'Girijan' in official communications. Reason (R): These terms are considered derogatory and are not used in the Constitution of India. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
- B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
- C.A is true but R is false
- D.A is false but R is true
Show Answer
Answer: A
Both the assertion and the reason are correct. The reason correctly explains why the Haryana government banned the use of these terms.