The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to enforce existing mandates requiring the removal of caste names from all public streets and roads across the state. Justice N. Ramesh issued the directive while presiding over a bail petition that highlighted the continued use of caste-based identifiers in official police documentation.
During the proceedings, the court noted that the state government originally issued an order to eliminate such names in 1978, a policy that has been consistently supported by subsequent judicial rulings. Justice Ramesh expressed concern that these identifiers persist in 2026, stating that the recent renaming of the Adi Dravidian Welfare Department to the Social Justice Department makes this an appropriate time for full implementation.
The court has instructed its registry to formally register the matter and refer it to a bench led by the Chief Justice. This move initiates a suo motu investigation to ensure that all government and judicial directives regarding the removal of caste names are strictly followed throughout the state.
