In a landmark judgment aimed at dismantling caste-based identity in the education sector and society, the Madras High Court has directed the removal of caste appellations from the names of schools, colleges, and registered societies across Tamil Nadu.
Delivering the verdict on April 16, 2025, Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy ruled that no educational institution—government or private—shall carry caste references in their names from the academic year 2025-26. Notices are to be issued to all such institutions, instructing them to drop caste-based prefixes or suffixes within four weeks. Failure to comply will result in withdrawal of recognition and transfer of students to other recognised institutions starting from 2026-27, the judge ordered.
The judgment was delivered while disposing of three writ petitions filed by the South Indian Senguntha Mahajana Sangam (Chennai), Tiruchengode Vatta Kongu Velalar Sangam (Namakkal district), and The Poor Educational Fund (Chennai).
Justice Chakravarthy also directed the Tamil Nadu government to implement the recommendations of a committee headed by retired judge K. Chandru, which had suggested renaming schools that carry terms like ‘Kallar Reclamation’ and ‘Adi Dravidar Welfare’.
Significantly, the court extended its directions to caste-based societies and associations as well. The Inspector-General of Registration has been instructed to identify and serve notices to all societies that:
- Are named after a particular caste
- Promote the interests of a specific caste group
- Restrict membership based on caste
These societies must amend their bylaws, remove caste references from their names, and open membership to all regardless of caste. The entire process must begin within three months and be completed in six months thereafter.
Justice Chakravarthy noted the disturbing endurance of casteism across religions and remarked:
“The caste system that is prevailing as on date has to do nothing with religion. As a matter of fact… it is cutting across religion, and people are not willing to put down this burden from their head, and these fanatics will carry it even to the moon.”
He further observed that constitutional courts will not entertain disputes filed by caste-based associations, stating that such organisations “cannot expect the High Court to come to their rescue” under Article 226 of the Constitution.
This bold and sweeping order marks a decisive step by the judiciary in eradicating caste identity from institutional structures and reflects a strong stance against the perpetuation of caste-based segregation in modern Indian society.
