'Linked To Slavery': MP-Elect K Radhakrishnan Abolishes 'Colony' Term On Way Out As Kerala Minister

The historic order was signed before Radhakrishnan stepped down from his cabinet minister post.

In a landmark decision, Kerala Minister K Radhakrishnan, who recently won the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections from Alathur, concluded his term as the State Minister of Devaswom and Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Tribes by abolishing the term 'colony' from official records. This historic order was signed before Radhakrishnan stepped down from his cabinet minister post.

Radhakrishnan emphasised that the word 'colony' is associated with slavery, having been created by oppressors, and it evokes a sense of inferiority among the residents. The minister's decision aligns with his and the left government's perspective that terms like ‘sanketham’ and ‘ooru’ bring disrespect. Instead, alternative terms such as ‘nagar’, ‘unnathi’, and ‘prakrithi’ should be used.

"The residents of these areas can suggest replacement names," Radhakrishnan stated, highlighting community involvement in the renaming process. The order also allows for names evoking regional interests and discourages the use of individual names, although existing names of individuals will not be removed, according to a report on Manorama.

Following this significant move, Radhakrishnan submitted his resignation as a cabinet minister to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and resigned as a Member of the Legislative Assembly to Assembly Speaker A N Shamseer.

Radhakrishnan's victory over Remya Haridas of the UDF in the Alathur Lok Sabha constituency marks him as the only CPM candidate elected to the Parliament from Kerala this term, as reported by The New Indian Express.

Meanwhile, his tenure as State Minister of Devaswom and Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Tribes has been marked by progressive actions aimed at uplifting marginalized communities.