Kerala Govt directs using ‘Bahu’ as mark of respect in official correspondence with CM, Ministers

Thiruvananthapuram: A government circular has reminded officials not to forget to prefix the honorific ‘Bahu’ (meaning ‘Honourable’) before writing the names of the Chief Minister or Ministers. The directive was issued by the Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department.

It stated that in all official correspondence, as well as in replies to complaints and petitions, the prefix ‘Bahu’ must be used before the names of Chief Minister and Ministers.

The circular reads: “In petitions/complaints submitted by the public to the Honourable Chief Minister and Honourable Ministers, after due examination and subsequent action by the offices concerned, replies and related communications sent to petitioners/applicants should record the names with the prefix ‘Bahu’ as a mark of respect.”

The order was issued on August 30. While such honorifics are usually employed in official meetings, instances of omission in written correspondence prompted the circular.

It is worth noting that under Article 18 of the Constitution, the conferment of honorary or hereditary titles by the State is prohibited to prevent any sense of inequality or privilege. However, distinctions linked to academic excellence or military service are exempt from this restriction.