Chittur-Thattamangalam municipality abolishes ‘respected,’ ‘honourable’ honorifics

The Chittur-Thattamangalam municipality has taken a bold, trend-setting step by eliminating honorific titles such as ‘respected’ and ‘honourable,’ which were considered mandatory when addressing officials in the State.

Chittur-Thattamangalam has become the first local body in the country to scrap the honorific title ‘respected.’ The State government had previously made it mandatory when addressing the Chief Minister and other Ministers.

Plaques, notices, posters and letters in Chittur-Thathamangalam will no longer carry honorifics before the names of dignitaries. Correspondence from municipal authorities will also be issued without any honorifics.

“We do not seek any respect that is not genuinely extended by the people. If honorific titles like ‘respected’ (Bahumanapetta in Malayalam) are reserved only for those in authority, then we do not want them. We serve the people. We do not demand their respect; rather they command ours,” said municipal chairperson Sumesh Achuthan.

First decision

It was the first decision taken by the Chittur-Thattamangalam municipality after the newly elected governing council assumed power under the leadership of Mr. Achuthan.

He said that honorifics like ‘respected’ and ‘honourable’ were creating a hierarchy among the people. “We want to ensure that every resident in Chittur enjoys equality guaranteed by the Constitution as well as human dignity and fundamental rights,” said Mr. Achuthan.

Hailing the municipality’s decision, rights activist Boban Mattumantha said the move to do away with honorifics would go a long way in removing relics of the colonial era.

“Our government systems often operate without acknowledging that the ultimate authority in a democracy lies with the people. Honorifics in government notices, plaques and official letters serve more as a reminder of authority than a mark of respect,” said Mr. Mattumantha.

Mr. Mattumantha has long campaigned against the use of honorifics and officialese that reflect remnants of colonial servitude. Despite his persistent demands, the State government has so far refused to remove the honorifics.

However, several civic bodies under the Congress rule had come forward to do away with titles like ‘sir’ and ‘madam’ while addressing those in authority.

KPCC adopted step

In 2021, Mathur grama panchayat in Palakkad district became the first local body in the country to ban the use of ‘sir’ and ‘madam.’ Several other panchayats followed suit, and the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) also adopted the measure.

However, it remains to be seen whether the KPCC will continue to pursue the idea of scrapping honorifics such as ‘respected’ and ‘honourable.’