Updated By: LatestGKGS Desk
Dalit term controversy: I&B advisory to Media to use 'Scheduled caste' over Dalit
Government advisory to Media for using the controversial nomenclature 'Dalit'
A recent advisory came from the Information & Broadcasting ministry to all private news channels to stop using the word ‘Dalit’ in their reports and use the constitutional term ‘Scheduled Caste’ instead. The I&B advisory came after a directive from the Bombay high court.
The advisory followed a direction of the Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court to ask the media to stop using the word ‘Dalit’ in news reports.
Lok Sabha TV, Rajya Sabha TV, DD News and AIR have been adhering to the rule for years according to the constitution. A reminder was sent to the institutions after the orders of the court.
Media may refrain from using the nomenclature ‘Dalit’ while referring to members belonging to the Scheduled Caste in compliance with the directions of the Honourable Bombay high court, and the constitutional term ‘Scheduled Caste’ in English and its appropriate translation in other national languages.
The members of News Broadcasters Association (NBA), a body which represents private television news and current affairs broadcasters is likely to meet on September 20 where they may decide to take a legal recourse over the issue. The Broadcasters Editors Association is also likely to take up the matter soon.
