Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has ordered the removal of caste-based references, including the term ‘colony’, from the names of roads, streets, water bodies, residential areas and markets across the state as part of efforts to promote equality and social harmony.
The order, issued on Oct 6 by chief secretary N Muruganandam, lists 16 names, including Tiruvalluvar, Avvaiyar, Kabilar, Bharathiyar, Periyar, and late chief ministers CN Annadurai and M Karunanidhi, for renaming roads bearing caste references. For waterbodies, govt has proposed 15 flower names such as Roja, Malli, Sembarathi, and Suryagandhi.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had previously told the State Assembly that the word ‘colony’, widely used to describe settlements historically linked with caste segregation, would be phased out from government usage and records.
District administrations have to identify such places by Oct 14, hold consultations and receive petitions by Oct 17, and notify changes by Oct 24. The final list must reach the govt by Nov 14, and all renamings must be officially completed by Nov 19.
Once done, collectors must facilitate record updates in Aadhaar, community certificates, family cards, and land documents for affected residents.
Officials have been advised to handle the process sensitively. If a majority of residents in grama sabhas or area sabhas wish to retain a name, the government will respect their decision.
Once names are officially changed, the updates will be reflected in essential documents such as caste certificates, Aadhaar cards, ration cards and property records through e-seva centers.
The order also proposes using names that honor social reformers, political leaders and cultural icons such as Mahatma Gandhi, Thanthai Periyar, Perarignar Anna, Kalaignar, Kamarajar and celebrated Tamil poets for public spaces.
Officials said the initiative aims to remove the vestiges of caste-based discrimination from the state’s public geography and advance Tamil Nadu’s commitment to social justice.
BJP leader and Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan said the DMK government’s move to remove caste names from streets and roads was a “political stunt” and an attempt to divert public attention to escape people’s anger.
“The renaming of student hostels as ‘Social Justice Hostels’ and the removal of the word ‘Colony’ from government records are being projected as a revolutionary step by the government. However, the people of the State know these are empty announcements made for publicity,”. Murugan said in a statement.
Murugan also condemned the DMK government for not including the names of Shaivite and Vaishnavite saint-poets who promoted Tamil, as well as names of freedom fighters from Tamil Nadu and former Chief Ministers C. Rajagopalachari, M.G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa, in the list of names suggested for renaming roads and streets.
