Karnataka HC Refuses To Entertain Plea To Implement 2020 Govt Circular Asking All Departments To Avoid Using 'Dalit' To Address SC Members

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday (April 2) refused to entertain a petition filed seeking to implement the government circular issued in the year 2020, asking all its departments and authorities to avoid during all official transactions the nomenclature "Dalit" for members belonging to the Scheduled Castes.

A division bench of Chief Justice N V Anjaria and Justice K V Aravind dismissed the petition filed by one Mahendra Kumar Mitra.

The petitioner appearing in person had prayed for a direction to the Principal Secretary Social Welfare Department to implement the circular issued by the department dated May 20, 2020. Further, sought a direction that the other respondent authorities also to implement the said circular. By way of interim relief it had sought pending disposal of the petition, the court may be pleased to stay to use the unconstitutional term 'dalit' as synonymous to scheduled castes in the interest of justice and equity.

The circular issued by the government instructs that in official transactions, matters, dealings, certificates, among others, the term schedule caste and schedule tribes, the words 'harijan' and 'girijan' should not be used. The circular was issued based on a decision of Madhya Pradesh High Court.

During the hearing the court posted a query to the petitioner to provide any number of instances where the circular is not implemented. The party in person could not show any. Following which the court said “When a petitioner makes a grievance that the aforementioned circular is not implemented there is nothing to show or substantiate the case of the petitioner. A mere statement in the petition would not suffice to convince the court that the circular is not being implemented.”

Further it said “On the contrary the presumption is that it is the government's own circular and is being implemented by the authorities.”

It added “It goes without saying that the circular with its avowed object of social justice and respecting the caste description shall be observed as provided in the circular. The present petition is not entertained.”

Case Title: Mahendra Kumar Mitra AND State of Karnataka & Others

Case No: WP 200451/2025.

Citation No: 2025 LiveLaw (Kar) 129