Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has said that the government will stop using the word “colony” in official documents when talking about Dalit settlements. He made this announcement in the state Assembly on Tuesday.
Stalin said the word “colony” is not just a name, but a reminder of caste-based discrimination and untouchability in the past. “The word ‘colony’ has become a symbol of insult and oppression for the people who have lived on this land for generations,” he said.
He added, “As this word is now used as a code for untouchability, we have decided to remove it from government records and general usage.”
Many Dalit rights activists welcomed the move and said it was a step in the right direction.
“This is an important decision. Language matters, and removing such terms helps fight caste discrimination,” said K. Ravi, a social worker in Chennai.
The Chief Minister said the government will soon issue instructions to replace the word with more respectful terms while naming places or referring to areas where Dalit communities live.
