In a sweeping directive, the Tamil Nadu government has mandated the removal of all caste-based names from streets, localities, and waterbodies across the state by 19 November 2025. The order, however, has ignited immediate controversy for allegedly sidelining prominent Dalit icons, with opposition parties accusing the ruling DMK of a selective and politically motivated approach to social justice.
The directive was issued on 6 October 2025 by Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam. District collectors have been instructed to replace existing caste-derived names with those of Tamil literary figures, leaders, or flowers.
According to the government order, roads bearing caste references are to be renamed after a list of 16 figures, which includes Tamil literary giants like Tiruvalluvar and Avvaiyar, as well as leaders such as Periyar E.V. Ramasamy, and former chief ministers C.N. Annadurai and M. Karunanidhi. For waterbodies, the government has proposed 15 flower names, including Roja, Malli, and Sembarathi.
This initiative follows an announcement made by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on 29 April 2025 to eliminate the term “colony” from government records and public discourse. Consequently, names such as Adi Dravidar Colony, Harijan Colony, Paraiyar Theru, and Sakkiliyar Salai are set to be replaced with what the government describes as “neutral, casteless names.”
The state administration has set a tight deadline for the process. District administrations are required to identify all such places by 14 October 2025, hold public consultations and receive petitions by 17 October 2025, and notify the changes by 24 October 2025. The final list must be submitted to the government by 14 November 2025, with all renaming to be officially completed by 19 November 2025. Following this, district collectors have been directed to facilitate the updating of all relevant records, including Aadhaar, community certificates, family cards, and land documents for affected residents.
The move, while ambitious, has drawn sharp criticism for its perceived exclusions. The provided list of new names has been notably criticised for omitting key Dalit leaders from the Dravidian and Tamil social justice movements such as Rettaimalai Srinivasan and Ayothidasa Pandithar.
பெரியார் ,அண்ணா ,கருணாநிதி பெயர் இருக்கு ஆனால் இரட்டைமலை சீனிவாசன் ,அயோத்திதாச பண்டிதர் பெயர் இல்லை
திமுகவிற்குள் தமிழர் வரலாற்றை சுருக்குவதற்கு பெயர்தான் திராவிட மாடல் pic.twitter.com/nA4ouyxLut
— Mahaprabu (@anbudanmaha) October 8, 2025
The names of Tamil Nadu’s greatest rulers — Rajaraja Chola, Rajendra Chola — or even the illustrious dynasties of the Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas, and Pallavas have been conspicuously excluded.
BJP state president K. Annamalai strongly criticized the move. He stated, “If the government is naming after former chief ministers, where is M G Ramachandran?” He demanded that the order be revoked and reissued to include leaders such as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Rettamalai Srinivasan, Rani Velu Nachiyar, and V.O. Chidambaranar.
Echoing similar sentiments, former AIADMK MP J. Jayavardhan pointed out that the names of former chief ministers MGR and J. Jayalalithaa were also missing. He alleged, “DMK is in power, so they have included their leader,” implying political bias in the selection.
When questioned about the exclusions, DMK MLA N. Ezhilan defended the government’s approach. He stated that the inclusion of names like Periyar, Anna (C.N. Annadurai), and Kalaignar (M. Karunanidhi) should not be viewed politically. “The government is taking systemic steps to eliminate caste. Teaching scientific temper and rational thinking is key to ending caste discrimination,” Ezhilan said.
Despite this defence, the absence of foundational Dalit figures like Rettamalai Srinivasan and Ayothidasa Pandithar from the list has led to questions about the DMK’s “Dravidian Model” involving abbreviating Tamil history in a manner that overlooks crucial anti-caste crusaders from the Dalit community.
(With inputs for Times of India)
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