The state-run hostels for disadvantaged school and college students will henceforth be officially known as `Social Justice Hostels,` Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced on Monday.
He said the change has been undertaken to promote DMK government`s foundational principle of social justice and inclusion, aiming to eliminate any form of discrimination, including those based on gender or caste. The CM reiterated that all state government programmes are especially designed to align with this ambitious objective.
In a statement released in Chennai, the Chief Minister said, “School and college hostels for students being operated by various departments across Tamil Nadu will henceforth be called `social justice hostels.` There won`t be any sort of discrimination.”
Accordiny to PTI, the CM recalled a previous announcement he made in the state assembly regarding the removal of the term `colony,` when used to refer to a caste, from all official records. He elaborated on the rationale behind this decision, explaining, “Since it has become a symbol of dominance, a symbol of untouchability and a slang word, steps will be taken to remove this word from government documents and public domain, I had announced.” This initiative aims to dismantle linguistic remnants of social hierarchy and promote dignity, he said.
Furthermore, Stalin reiterated his ongoing appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider amending the names of certain Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.
Specifically, he requested replacing names currently ending with `N` and `A` with `R` to further restore their dignity, reported PTI.
Meanwhile, in a related development, a government order was issued by the School Education Department on June 25. This order outlines specific measures designed to prevent caste and communal conflicts and differences among school students, with the aim of fostering harmony and positive virtues within the educational environment.
The state government had also previously constituted a commission, led by retired Justice K Chandru, to thoroughly investigate and recommend effective ways to prevent caste conflicts within schools. This panel subsequently provided several crucial recommendations, advocating for the removal of caste prefixes and suffixes from school names. The Tamil Nadu government has since accepted these recommendations, indicating a strong commitment to implementing expert advice in its social reform agenda.
Currently, Tamil Nadu operates 2,739 government hostels across the state, providing accommodation for a substantial 1,79,568 students. Meanwhile these hostels are managed by various departments, including the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, as well as the Backward Classes and Minority Welfare Department, underscoring the widespread reach and impact of these state-provided facilities.
(With inputs from PTI)