Rajasthan's 'Sarthak Naam' Campaign Draws Fire Over Controversial Name List
The Rajasthan education department's Sarthak Naam Abhiyan, an initiative aimed at providing meaningful and respectable name options for school students, has ignited significant controversy. The campaign, intended to offer dignified choices, has come under scrutiny due to the inclusion of numerous inappropriate and potentially embarrassing names in its suggested list.
Questionable Names in the Draft List
The draft list, which features 2,950 names for boys and girls, includes selections that have raised eyebrows across the state. For girls, names such as Bhiksha (meaning alms), Bhayankar (terrifying), Kalyugi (referring to the Age of darkness or vice), and Kaikeyi (associated with Lord Ram's exile in mythology) have been highlighted as problematic.
For boys, the list suggests names like Ugra Singh (violent person), Thana Singh (where 'Thana' means police station), and Becharadas (helpless fellow). Additionally, the list contains prominent surnames such as Chaturvedi, Yadav, and Rawat, as well as place names like Bikaner, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Badrinath, which critics argue could lead to embarrassment rather than preventing it.
Further issues include repetitive entries with minor spelling variations when translated to English, and names like Rampyari, Annapurna, and Ojasvi appearing in both gender categories, suggesting a lack of careful curation.
Criticism from Educational and Parental Groups
Shastri Kosalendradas, dean of philosophy at Rajasthan Sanskrit University, expressed shock at the list. "Some of the names don't uphold the campaign's objective. According to our ancient scriptures, names can be synonyms of gods or goddesses or must be something that are meaningful and have a value to it," he stated. Kosalendradas, who has assisted nearly 1,000 parents in naming children, urged the government to revise the list, suggesting that the education department consult Sanskrit teachers for improvement.
The parents' association Sanyukt Abhibhavak Sangh criticized the campaign as a diversion from more pressing educational issues. Spokesperson Abhishek Jain remarked, "The state is grappling with increasing dropouts, shortage of teachers in schools, and arbitrary behaviour of private schools, but the department is focusing on suggesting names. The department must get its priorities right."
Government Response and Political Reactions
In defense, a source from Education Minister Madan Dilawar's team clarified on Wednesday that the list is only a draft. "It is not the final list of suggested names. We have noticed several mistakes, like surnames have been suggested as first names. A final list will be issued by the education directorate," the source explained.
However, political opposition has been vocal. Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully commented, "In a state where a large number of govt school buildings are in dilapidated condition and seeking repair, where courts are reprimanding on this issue, and efforts are needed regarding enrolment, the education department is running a campaign for meaningful names."
The controversy underscores a disconnect between the campaign's noble intentions and its execution, with calls for immediate revision to align with its goal of promoting dignity and respect through appropriate naming.
