Renaming 'Colonies': Tamil Nadu's Step
Towards Social Justice – A UPSC Perspective
By Suryavanshi IAS
Table of Contents
- Introduction:
The Stigma of ‘Colony’ in Tamil Nadu
- Historical
Roots of Caste-Based Segregation
- Evolution
of Derogatory Place Names
- Impact
on Marginalized Communities
- Tamil
Nadu Government’s Initiative
- Constitutional
& Legal Provisions Against Caste Discrimination
- UPSC
Relevance: Link to GS-I, GS-II, and Essay
- Previous
Year UPSC Questions (Prelims + Mains)
- Conclusion
& Way Forward
1. Introduction: The Stigma of ‘Colony’ in
Tamil Nadu
- In
rural Tamil Nadu, ‘colony’ is a term associated
with lower-caste settlements, carrying deep social stigma.
- CM
M.K. Stalin’s announcement (April 2025): Renaming
villages with caste-derogatory terms like:
- ‘Pallappatti’,
‘Paraiyappatti’ (referring to Scheduled Castes)
- ‘Harijan
Colony’, ‘Adi Dravidar Colony’ (colonial-era
labels).
- Objective:
Erase caste-based humiliation from official records.
Why is this important for UPSC?
- GS-I
(Society): Caste system, social stigma.
- GS-II
(Governance): Affirmative action, state policies for
social justice.
- Essay:
“Social equality is a myth without linguistic and spatial justice.”
2. Historical Roots of Caste-Based
Segregation
|
Period |
Social Practice |
Literary Evidence |
|
Ancient (5th BCE-6th CE) |
‘Cheri’ = General settlement (no stigma) |
Tolkappiyam,
Silappadikaram |
|
Medieval (12th CE) |
Bhakti era → ‘Theenda Cheri’ (untouchable quarters) |
Periya Puranam |
|
Vijayanagar-Nayaka Rule (14th-17th CE) |
Brutal enforcement of varnashrama |
Segregated ‘Paraiyar’ streets |
|
British Era (19th CE) |
‘Harijan Colony’, ‘Scavenger Street’ in records |
Census documentation |
Key Terms:
- Varnashrama:
Caste-based spatial segregation.
- Harijan:
Gandhi’s term for Dalits (later stigmatized).
- Adi-Dravidar:
Term coined by Iyothee Thass to assert Tamil Dalit
identity.
3. Evolution of Derogatory Place Names
- From
‘Cheri’ to ‘Colony’:
- Pre-colonial:
‘Cheri’ = Neutral term for settlements.
- Colonial:
Europeans used ‘colony’ for elite quarters → Later applied to Dalit
areas.
- Urban
vs. Rural:
- Urban:
‘Railway Colony’, ‘Saibaba Colony’ (caste-neutral).
- Rural:
‘Harijan Colony’ = Ghettoization of Dalits.
Irony:
- Colony
(Original): Elite European spaces.
- Colony
(Now): Marginalized Dalit localities.
4. Impact on Marginalized Communities
- Psychological
Harm: Address-based discrimination in:
- Education:
Schools denying admission.
- Employment:
Biased hiring.
- Marriage:
Matrimonial exclusion.
- Legal
Documents: Aadhaar, Voter ID, Ration Cards
perpetuate stigma.
Case Study:
- A
2020 study in TN showed 70% of Dalit students faced
bullying due to their locality’s name.
5. Tamil Nadu Government’s Initiative
- Policy:
Replace caste-based names with flowers, poets, or scientists.
- Avoid:
Political leaders’ names (to prevent polarization).
- Precedents:
- Uttar
Pradesh: Renamed ‘Harijan Nagar’ to ‘Ambedkar
Nagar’.
- Kerala:
‘Pulaya Street’ changed to ‘Gandhi Street’.
Constitutional Backing:
- Article
15: Prohibits caste discrimination.
- SC/ST
Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989: Penalizes
humiliation.
6. UPSC Relevance
GS-I (Indian Society)
- Q.
Discuss the spatial dimensions of caste in India. (2021 Mains)
- Q.
How did colonial policies reinforce caste segregation? (2019 Mains)
GS-II (Governance)
- Q.
Analyze Tamil Nadu’s renaming policy as a tool for social justice.
- Q.
Compare affirmative actions in India and South Africa. (2023 Mains)
Ethics (GS-IV)
- Q.
“Language shapes prejudice.” Comment. (2022 Mains)
7. Previous Year UPSC Questions
Prelims
Q1. (2020) The term ‘Adi-Dravidar’ refers to:
(a) A tribal group in Northeast India
(b) A term for Dalits in Tamil Nadu
(c) A sect of Bhakti saints
(d) A linguistic minority in Kerala
Answer: (b)
- Explanation:
Coined by Iyothee Thass for Tamil Dalits.
Q2. (2018) Which Article prohibits
discrimination based on caste?
(a) Article 14
(b) Article 15
(c) Article 16
(d) Article 17
Answer: (b) Article 15
- Explanation:
Article 15 bans caste-based discrimination.
Mains
Q. (GS-I: 2022) “Caste-based segregation
persists in India’s urban and rural spaces.” Critically examine.
Answer Framework:
- Historical
roots (Ancient to colonial).
- Modern
manifestations (Ghettos, ‘colonies’).
- Government
measures (Renaming, SC/ST Act).
- Way
forward (Education, sensitization).
8. Conclusion & Way Forward
- Symbolic
Justice: Renaming is a first step,
but deeper reforms needed.
- Awareness:
Sensitize bureaucracy, schools, and employers.
- UPSC
Link: Connects Society, Polity, and Ethics.
Quote for Essay:
“The geography of caste is the last frontier of social justice.” –
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
For more such analyses, follow
[@SuryavanshiIAS]! 🌟 #UPSC #SocialJustice
#TamilNadu
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