Chandigarh: Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission chairman Jasvir Singh Garhi on Tuesday met the chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), objecting to the alleged use of derogatory and prohibited terms for Scheduled Castes in draft Census 2027 forms. A memorandum seeking immediate removal of such language from census forms and digital self-enumeration platforms was submitted during the meeting.
Formal Complaint Triggers Action
According to an official spokesperson, the Punjab commission acted following a formal complaint regarding the use of "insulting and socially discriminatory" terminology in Census 2027 lists and online portals. The commission highlighted that such language is not only offensive but also undermines the dignity of the community.
Constitutional Violations Cited
In the memorandum, Garhi stated that the continued use of such language in official documents violated Articles 14, 17, and 21 of the Constitution, which pertain to equality, abolition of untouchability, and the right to life with dignity, respectively. He emphasized that the government must ensure that all official communications respect the constitutional rights of every citizen.
The commission urged the immediate removal of objectionable terms and sought safeguards to prevent the recurrence of similar issues in future census exercises. It also called for a review of the drafting process to ensure that such terms are not inadvertently included again.
Broader Implications
This incident raises concerns about the sensitivity of government agencies toward marginalized communities. The Punjab commission has demanded strict action against those responsible for including the derogatory terms and has called for a comprehensive audit of all census-related materials to ensure compliance with constitutional values.
