Assembly asks MLAs/officials not to use word Harijan

"It is seen that the word Harijan is used in writing in assembly questions. It is better not to use the word Harijan," speaker Pradip Kumar Amat said through a ruling.

The Speaker`s ruling came in the wake of some ruling party members raising the issue during the zero hour. "We are confused over the use of word Harijan. Though there is a ban on the use of the word (Harijan), some members and assembly secretariat use it frequently," said ruling BJD`s senior member Kalpataru Das.

Some days back, it was seen that Congress chief whip Prasad Harichandan had used the word Harijan in his speech which was pointed out by treasury bench member and former minister Bishnu Charan Das. Harichandan, however, corrected himself immediately, Kalpataru Das pointed out.

However, it was observed that the same word had been used by the assembly secretariat, he pointed out seeking a ruling from the chair.

BJD member Pradeep Maharathy also supported Das and wanted a ruling from the chair on the use of word Harijan in the house.