Trichy Strips Caste Names from Streets

Trichy Corporation has begun a citywide exercise to drop caste-linked and derogatory names from streets and public places, inviting residents to suggest alternatives. The move comes after residents and literary associations submitted mass petitions calling for more “respectful” names at area sabha meetings held on Monday, to mark the birth anniversary of former chief minister C N Annadurai. Several residents from streets with caste names, particularly scheduled caste names, also said they feel a discomfort in mentioning their address in application forms or during interviews. The first petition is to rename Kura Street in Woraiyur. “In some official records, Gandhipuram in Woraiyur is mentioned with a scheduled caste term considered offensive. There is a bus stop here as well with the same name. People want it to be renamed after CPI veteran leader R Nallakannu,” says K Suresh, councillor of ward 23. “Excluding only the caste-based surnames of the streets and retaining the rest of the name is a simple option. If unviable, we plan to replace the entire name. We’re getting public opinion at every step,” says an official. Assistant commissioners in all five zones have been asked to draw up a list of streets with caste or communal names to be sent to the secretary of the municipal administration department for approval. Residential area names with ‘colony’ as a suffix are likely to be changed too. Trichy city has about 20 street and road names in each of the 65 wards carrying the reminiscences of caste as well as referring to liquor, drainage and crematoriums. Some of the street names considered demeaning include Sudukadu Road in Srirangam and Keela Saarayapattarai Street in Woraiyur. Babu Chetti Street, Pattabiraman Pillai Street and Soda Nayakkan Street are also up for renaming. “We are confident of completing the renaming smoothly as Trichy is known for its pluralism,” says Mayor Mu Anbalagan. Earlier this year, Thangaiyan Street in Srirangam was renamed after Nadaswaram artist Sheik Chinna Moulana and Thirunagar Street in Karumandapam was renamed after late Tamil poet Nandalala.Email your feedback with name and address to southpole.toi@timesofindia.com