I&B Ministry urges private TV channels to refrain from using nomenclature Dalit

Information and Broadcasting Ministry has issued an advisory to the media urging them to refrain from using the nomenclature Dalit for people belonging to Scheduled Castes. The advisory refers to a June order by Bombay High Court asking the ministry to consider issuing a direction to the media to stop using the word Dalit. 

The ministry said, the Constitutional term Scheduled Caste in



English, and its appropriate translation in other national languages should alone be used for all official transactions, matters, dealings, certificates, etc. for denoting the persons belonging to Scheduled Castes. The advisory also cited a Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment circular of March 15, advising the central and state governments to use the term Scheduled Caste.