Usage Of The Term "Tribal" In School's Name Is Unwarranted, Results In Stigmatisation Of Children: Madras High Court

Justice SM Subramaniam and Justice C Kumarappan, while hearing the suo motu petition initiated in the wake of the Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy, noted that the Government schools in the locality were in the name of “Government Tribal Residential School”. The court observed that usage of the term “Tribal” was unwanted and would stigmatize the children studying in the school.

“The usage of the term “Tribal” along with the name of the Government School is unwarranted. Such usage of word “Tribal” in School's name, undoubtedly would result in stigmatising the children studying in Schools. They will get the feeling that they are studying in a “Tribal School” and not in a School on par with the other children in nearby localities. Stigmatisation of children at no circumstances be approved by the Courts and by the Government,” the court observed.

The court also remarked that it was painful to see that even in the 21st century, the Government was allowing the usage of such words in Government schools functioning out of public money. The court added that the state of Tamil Nadu, being a forerunner in social justice could not allow such prefixes or suffixes.

The court thus suggested that wherever such names were used to indicate a particular community/caste, such words needed to be removed and the schools were to be named as “Government Schools” and children residing in the locality were to be granted admission in the schools.

Case Title: Suo Motu Writ Petition v The Chief Secretary

Case No: WP 19030 of 2024