Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Chennai Begins Removing Caste References From Street Names
Chennai officials are checking street signs for names connected to caste identities.
They are doing this as part of Tamil Nadu’s social justice plan.
Officials in all 15 city zones must report the names they find.
About 77 such streets have been identified in three zones so far.
If a caste word is only a suffix in a person’s name, officials may remove the suffix.
If a street is named entirely after a caste, it will receive a new name.
Each proposed change must be reviewed before approval.
A social justice organisation supports the plan and wants reformers such as B.R. Ambedkar and M. Singaravelar included in the new names.
The Greater Chennai Corporation has begun a citywide survey of street nameboards for caste references.
Officials across all 15 Corporation zones must inspect streets and submit detailed reports.
About 77 caste-related street names have been identified so far in three zones.
Caste suffixes in personal names may be removed, while caste-only street names will be renamed.
The Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front welcomed the move and sought names honouring social reformers.
- Who
- The Greater Chennai Corporation, Tamil Nadu government departments and the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front.
- What
- A citywide enumeration and proposed renaming of streets and other public places carrying caste references.
- When
- The survey is underway; Government Order 313 was issued on October 6, and a state-level review is expected shortly.
- Where
- Across Chennai’s 15 Corporation zones; 77 names have so far been identified in Kodambakkam, Valasaravakkam and Adyar.
- Why
- To remove caste identities from public names and address social discrimination under Tamil Nadu’s social justice initiative.
- Lead agency
- Greater Chennai Corporation
- Coverage
- All 15 Corporation zones
- Names identified
- Around 77 caste-related streets
- Zones reporting so far
- Kodambakkam, Valasaravakkam and Adyar
- Legal framework
- Government Order 313, issued by the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department on October 6
- Renaming rule
- Caste suffixes may be removed from personal names; streets named entirely after a caste will be renamed
- Requested reformers
- Dr B.R. Ambedkar and M. Singaravelar