Legal
How Are Government Top Officials ‘Honourable’ (माननीय) ? Allahabad High Court Wants Answers
PRAYAGRAJ: The Allahabad High Court has raised serious concerns over the use of the word ‘honorable’ before the names of government officials in official correspondence. The court has sought clarification from the Principal Secretary of the Revenue Department regarding the protocol that allows state government officials to use this honorific title.
Court Surprised by Unwarranted Usage
The court of Justice JJ Munir made the observation during the hearing of a petition filed by Krishna Gopal Rathore. In the course of the proceedings, it was revealed that the word ‘Honourable’ was regularly used as a prefix for the names of officials of various ranks in government communications. This prompted the court to question the legitimacy of this practice.
In the case at hand, the Collector of Etawah had addressed the Divisional Commissioner of Kanpur as ‘Honourable Commissioner‘ in an official letter. The court expressed surprise, noting that the term ‘honorable’ is traditionally reserved for ministers and certain other sovereign officials, not for civil servants.
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Court Demands Explanation from Revenue Department
Justice Munir remarked that it is perplexing how an officer, who serves under the state government, is being referred to with an honorific typically reserved for higher-ranking public officials. The court emphasized that such usage raises questions about protocol and the decorum of official communication.
To clarify the matter, the court has summoned an affidavit from the Principal Secretary of the Revenue Department. The affidavit is expected to explain the protocol, if any, under which government officials are entitled to use the word ‘honorable’ before their names.
Immediate Action Ordered
In a direct order, the court instructed the Registrar (Compliance) to send copies of the order to both the Principal Secretary of the Revenue Department and the Collector of Etawah. The court mandated that this be done through the Chief Judicial Magistrates of Lucknow and Etawah within 24 hours to ensure prompt compliance.
The Allahabad High Court’s intervention has brought attention to a practice that could challenge the sanctity of official titles and designations. The court’s decision on this matter will likely set a precedent for how government officials address one another in formal communication.
The next hearing in this case will shed more light on the protocol that governs the use of honorific titles for government officials in Uttar Pradesh. The court’s scrutiny is expected to influence administrative practices and restore clarity to the norms of official correspondence.
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