JAIPUR: The Rajasthan government’s ‘Sarthak Naam Abhiyan’, aimed at replacing demeaning student names with more dignified alternatives, has sparked a major controversy, with critics flagging offensive and absurd entries in the official list of suggested names.
The Education Department released a list of around 2,900 names for boys and girls, arguing that names perceived as derogatory, such as Kachru Mal, Lallu, Kajod, and Gobari Bai, can harm children’s self-esteem, and that meaningful names, chosen with parental consent, could boost confidence and identity.
For girls, the list includes names such as Aradhya, Ahilya, Kunti, Anushree, Vani, Daya, Gauri, Ira, Jhanvi, Ojasvi, and Vaidehi. Suggested names for boys include Achyut, Agni, Ajay, Akshayraj, Amartya, Ameya, Antariksh, Aryaman, Chakradhari, Chintamani, Devaditya, Ekadev, Madhav, Pitambar, Ashwatthama, and Shukla.
While socio-political experts allege that this campaign is politically motivated and aims to impose a Hindutva-oriented cultural framework on SC and ST and other backward communities, most observers and critics have also flagged serious issues with the name-list issued under the Department’s ‘Sarthak Naam Abhiyan’.
Despite the clarification, the curious campaign has triggered a larger debate on administrative oversight and cultural sensitivity.But apart from it critics argue that many entries are absurd, offensive, repetitive, or simply incorrect, defeating the very purpose of the exercise.
Several names in the list are not proper names but everyday words, abstract concepts, or even surnames. The backlash quickly spread on social media, with users criticising Education Minister Madan Dilawar, the state government, and officials involved in compiling the list.
Among the names suggested for boys are Devdas, Makhan (butter), Zalimsingh (cruel), Ahankar (ego), Ahit (harm), Avishkar (invention), Avkash (recess), and Becharadas (ill-fated) - along with place names such as 'Bikaner'. For girls, the list includes Bhayankar (terrifying), Bhiksha (alms), Makkhi (fly), Ardhangini (better half), Manoranjani (entertainer), Kara (prison), and Bahumukhi (multifaceted) - all of which have drawn criticism for being silly and inappropriate.
The controversy has deepened due to apparent gender mix-ups, with names like 'Gangotri' and 'Godavari' being listed for boys, while Chanakya, Valmiki, Pulkit, Milind, and Rajhans being included in the list for girls. Experts have also pointed out inconsistencies, incorrect classifications, and duplication of names with minor variations created by adding suffixes like “Singh,” “Kumar,” and “Chand.”
Responding to the backlash, state education minister Madan Dilawar has clarified that the list is only suggestive and not mandatory. He assured that no names would be imposed and that inappropriate entries would be removed, adding that better alternatives could be considered.