'Bazigar' which is a notified Scheduled Caste community in Punjab has its name tag attached to the majority of schools in Punjab, a survey analysis recorded this. The reason behind this labeling has been found that since these schools are located in the colonies inhabited by the population from the Bazigar community.

The Punjab government has ordered to rename of 56 state-run schools that had any reference to any caste or community in this regard.

The step by State Education Department comes a month after Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains asked for a list of government schools, which were named after a particular caste or community or had something that could raise eyebrows.

As per the report that was compiled by the Education Department, 56 primary schools have been identified in this criteria. The orders have been issued assigning them a new name and snapping all the references attached with a particular caste or community.

However, two schools, one each in Ludhiana and Muktsar, have written to the Department that their village panchayats do not want the school to be renamed and want to continue with that name tag. For now, the department has put remaining these two schools on hold.

Other castes and communities also found mention in the names of schools based on the localities where they were located.

Cases such as these have not reflected uncivilised culture of the people but also it's an indication that ideas of caste segregation are still potent in society.

The schools were given new names based on the village they are located in, a well-known individual, a martyr, or a local hero.

The Education Minister stated that Punjab is the land of gurus, saints, and great prophets who have taught humanity to stay away from casteism and all sorts of discrimination. In the contemporary era, these names lead to derogatory remarks and impact on children.

With this decision, a new era of the education system has dawned upon Punjab.

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References:

• timesnownews.com
• edexlive.com
• ndtv.com