Madras High Court upholds State move to rename streets, colonies carrying caste names

Caste names should eventually disappear into oblivion, the Madras High Court recently said while upholding the Tamil Nadu government's decision to remove caste-based and derogatory names from streets, roads, residential areas and other public places [S Paramasivam v. State of Tamil Nadu]..A Bench of Justices CV Karthikeyan and R Sakthivel said that any confusion arising from the removal of such names would only be temporary. The Court said that any confusion arising from the removal of such names would only be temporary. Court said, "There would be confusion only in the minds of those who retain the names of the caste in their minds, but there would not be any confusion in the minds of the persons who remove caste from their minds."Hence, it dismissed a petition challenging a 2025 government order that laid down guidelines for identifying and renaming public places carrying caste or objectionable names.The bench also went further and said that some of the existing names were so derogatory that they could not even be uttered in open court."This step should have been taken many years ago," the bench opined.Hence, it called upon the State to identify further places that had been left out and issue another government order to rename them..The case concerned a Government Order (GO) issued by the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department. The order sought to identify residential areas, streets, roads and water bodies bearing caste or objectionable names and rename them after persons known for their service to society. The petitioner contended that the exercise was intended to secure political advantage ahead of the Assembly elections and could disturb communal harmony. He also questioned the 21-day period provided for public objections and argued that areas should alternatively be named after Tamil literary figures, Nayanmars, Azhwars, Siddhars and other eminent persons. downloaded (3)The State defended the measure as an exercise aimed at promoting equality, eliminating caste discrimination and ensuring that public spaces reflected inclusiveness and neutrality. It also pointed out that Tamil Nadu had issued a similar government order as far back as 1978 for removing caste-based names from roads and streets..The Court noted that several places had already been renamed. Harijan Colony in Chengalpattu became Thiruvalluvar Street, Arunthathiyar Theru in Namakkal became Kamarajar Nagar, Irular Colony in Tiruvannamalai became Kabilar Theru and Narikuravar Colony in Ranipet was renamed Perarignar Anna Theru. Other changes included Adi Dravidar Colony in Vellore becoming Kambar Street, Sweeper Colony in Tirunelveli becoming Bharathidasan Street, and Arunthathiyar Kudiyiruppu in Kancheepuram becoming Avvaiyar Kudiyiruppu. The Court found that the alternative names cited before it were either neutral or those of persons who had distinguished themselves in public life. .The Court also rejected the challenge to the 21-day period for objections, observing that some time limit necessarily had to be prescribed. It eventually dismissed the petition and vacated the interim stay that had earlier halted implementation of the government order..Senior Advocate G Karthikeyan assisted by advocate M Karthikeya Venkitachalapathy represented the petitioner..Advocate General Vijay Narayan and Government Pleader MP Senthil represented the State..[Read Judgment]