Derogatory words against BCs may attract penal action

The State government has been exploring the possibility of taking legal action against those who use derogatory and abusive words while referring to people belonging to certain backward classes in the State, Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya said on Monday.

Addressing reporters, he said the government wants to ban usage of words such as ‘hajama’ and ‘darvesi’ that hurt people belonging to the community related to those professions. These derogatory words are referred to people who follow certain traditional professions. The department has sought the law department’s opinion on taking legal action against people who use such abusive words, he added.

The minister was speaking after holding a meeting with progressive writers and thinkers and representatives of Kannada filmdom to draw up a plan on launching a publicity campaign for the proposed caste census in the State.
Earlier, writer Siddalingaiah said use of derogatory words against SCs and STs has already been banned.

“There is also a provision to take penal action if violated. But the practice of using such words against certain backward classes still continues. Usage of such words should be banned to uphold the dignity of people belonging to backward classes,” he suggested.

This apart, Anjaneya said cine actors from Kannada filmdom have volunteered to take part in a campaign to spread awareness among people on the caste census in the State. The government has planned to conduct street plays and puppet shows as part of the campaign. Short films will be screened in every nook and corner of the State, besides putting up flexes and banners, he added.

Music director and lyricist Hamsalekha and number of Kannada writers have come forward to provide literature for the campaign, which will be launched shortly. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will soon hold a meeting to finalise the date for conducting the survey, Anjaneya said.