Palakkad: In a move aimed at reinforcing democratic principles and equality, the Chittur–Thathamangalam Municipality in Palakkad district of Kerala has decided to discontinue the use of the honorific ‘honourable’ before the names of its Chairman and Secretary.
The decision was taken under the leadership of newly elected municipal chairperson Sumesh Achuthan of the Indian National Congress (INC).
An official announcement on the decision is expected after the next municipal council meeting, scheduled to be held within a week, where it will be placed for formal ratification.
“Public Servants Do Not Deserve Special Privileges”: Chairman
Explaining the rationale behind the move, Sumesh Achuthan said that public servants should not enjoy privileges that are unavailable to ordinary citizens. Speaking to TNM, he said the decision was a first step toward helping people better understand their rights as citizens.
“Many people wrongly believe that they must show deference to local authorities to access government benefits that are rightfully theirs. This misconception needs to change. The municipality and I do not require any privileges that ordinary citizens do not have,” Sumesh said.
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Honorifics Reflect Colonial-Era Mindset
The term ‘honourable’ (Bahumanapetta in Malayalam) is commonly used as a prefix for elected representatives and officials, including Members of Parliament, judges, ministers, municipal chairpersons, and secretaries. However, Sumesh argued that such practices are remnants of colonial and royal traditions.
“No developed democracy follows this convention. In a true democracy, the people are the supreme authority. Our systems often fail to recognise this reality,” he said, adding that the municipality is committed to constitutional values of equality, human dignity, and civil rights.
Decision Extends to Official Documents and Correspondence
The move will not be symbolic alone. The Chittur–Thathamangalam Municipality has also decided that the honorific will not be used in official documents, government correspondence, plaques, or notices issued by the municipality.
According to Sumesh, the continued documentation of such titles reinforces authority and creates an unnecessary divide between citizens and public servants.
“When respect is recorded in official letters and inscriptions, it creates an impression that public servants must be honoured. In reality, they are accountable to the people,” he said.
Support from UDF Councillors
In the 2025 local body elections, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) secured 19 out of 30 wards in the municipality. Sumesh said the decision has the full support of all 19 UDF councillors.
He expressed hope that this initiative would inspire other local bodies and eventually the state government to adopt similar practices across Kerala.
Not an Isolated Move in Palakkad
Chittur–Thathamangalam is not the first local body in Palakkad district to move away from honorifics. Earlier, the Mathur panchayat had already stopped using titles such as ‘sir’ and ‘madam’ in its offices, citing similar democratic and egalitarian principles.
State Government’s Stand on Honorifics
Interestingly, the Kerala government, in response to an RTI query, had earlier stated that there is no legal requirement to use honorifics for elected representatives. However, it maintained that such usage was a matter of basic courtesy meant to respect the position, not the individual.
Despite this, the Chittur Municipality has chosen to proceed independently, asserting that true democracy does not require titles or formal honours for public servants.
Personal and Political Background of Chairman
Sumesh Achuthan is the son of former Chittur MLA and municipal chairperson K Achuthan. In the 2025 local body elections, Sumesh contested from the Paruthikkavu ward and won by a margin of 185 votes.
He said his decision was driven not by symbolism but by the belief that democracy must move away from inherited traditions of hierarchy.
“Terms like ‘Your Highness’ or ‘His Majesty’ vanished with the end of monarchy. Yet new titles replaced them. It is time we questioned why,” he said.
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