The Tamil Nadu State Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has issued an advisory to the State government to avoid employing the term ‘Chandala’.
The Commission is issuing a warning against using the word ‘Chandala’ either to insult others or as a joke or on the political stage.
It has recommended that those who use it be booked under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
‘Chandala’ is listed in Code No. 48 in the List of Scheduled Castes in Tamil Nadu.