Chandra Shekhar Azad, the Nagina MP and founder of Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram), has publicly condemned Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s recent use of the term ‘Harijan’ to refer to Scheduled Castes (SC). Azad alleged that this choice of language is outdated and divisive, accusing the Chief Minister of attempting to create social divides by labeling communities as “Harijans” and “non-Harijans.”, reports The Hindu.
Highlighting an advisory issued by the Union government in 1982 discouraging the use of the term ‘Harijan,’ Azad expressed surprise that the Chief Minister, holding a high constitutional office, would use language deemed inappropriate by both government guidelines and court rulings. In 2010, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment issued further guidelines explicitly prohibiting the term’s use, labelling it as derogatory.
“Is it possible that Yogi Adityanath, in his capacity as Chief Minister, is unaware of these decisions, or is he deliberately using the word to insult the community?” Azad asked.
Azad also criticised the Chief Minister for not reflecting his own slogan of “If we divide, we will be divided,” which he used in past election rallies, adding that such language could foster divisions within the Hindu community itself. Alongside his public statement, Azad shared a video clip on social media where Adityanath is seen using the term ‘Harijan.’
In a related move, Azad recently sent a formal request to the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, seeking data on the representation of SC/ST individuals in significant government roles across the state. He specifically requested details on officials occupying senior posts such as Principal Secretaries, Divisional Commissioners, and District Magistrates in Uttar Pradesh’s 18 divisions and 75 districts.
Azad indicated his intention to submit similar requests regarding officials from Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Muslim backgrounds in order to provide a more comprehensive view of minority representation within the state’s decision-making positions.
“This data will help us determine if marginalised groups are truly being empowered, or if they remain sidelined even after over 75 years of independence,” he said.
The call for transparency is part of Azad’s broader critique of the U.P. government’s approach to social equity, as he contends there is a need for fair representation of SC, ST, OBC, and Muslim communities in leadership roles across departments.
Azad’s comments have stirred a fresh debate on the sensitive topic of caste terminology and representation in government, with many awaiting a response from Chief Minister Adityanath’s office on the issue.
