How often have we heard the word 'kamina' in Hindi films and in real life? Many of us would lose count of this, and some may even pass it off as a 'decent and socially acceptable' abusive word. A Mumbai based dermatologist and social activist doesn't think so.

Insisting that its a 'casteist slur' used in Punjab for farmers, labourers and artisans belonging to the scheduled caste, the doctor has shot letters to Censor Board chief Pahlaj Nihlani demanding an immediate ban on using the word in films.

Dr Tushar Jagtap has based his claims on a correspondence between Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian constitution, and Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru, India's first prime minister. The communication was done months after Independence and partition, in which Dr Ambedkar had raised the plight of scheduled caste refugees coming from Pakistan. In the same letter, Ambedkar also apprised the ex-PM about the caste system existing in the villages of eastern Punjab (India's side).

The letter dated December 18, 1947 is part of a book titled “Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Writings and Speeches, Volume 17, Part 1”. In the letter, which has been published by the higher education department of Maharashtra, Ambedkar has sought to inform Nehru of the sufferings of the 'untouchables'. Dr Jagtap has attached a copy of the said letter with his petition to the censor board.

In the exchange, Ambekdra tells Nehru: “The land revenue system of East Punjab divided the residents of the village into two classes 'zamindars' and 'kaminas'. The category of Zamindars include those families who have an exclusive right to own land situated inside the village boundary.”

Additionally, Ambedkar also states that the 'kaminas' have no rights to buy or to own land situated in the villages of which they are residents. “Even the sites on which their houses are situated belong to Zamindars, with the result that the Zamindars can compel the Kaminas to leave the village by asking them to remove their houses.”

This rule, Ambedkar says, places the Kaminas of every village at the mercy of Zamindars.

Insisting that the word has gone unnoticed for many decades, despite Ambedkar himself informing the then government head, Dr Jagtap in his letter to Nihlani says: “In view of these facts, you can imagine the plight of these brothers and sisters of this clan who silently suffered their humiliation for more than 67 years. It is our duty to apologise to them and stop using this word in films and theatre, and other mediums immediately.”

Nihlani, who had banned 28 cuss words soon after bagging the top post at the board, a decision which was deferred later, is yet to respond to the petition. Dr Jagtap has now written to Minister of state, I&B, Rajyavardhan Rathore.

Expert views are divided. Reeta Grewal, head of history department at Punjab University said: “I don't think Kamina is a casteist word. This is an abusive word which is used to refer to people who are dishonest.”

The professor added: “In Punjab, the caste system was not as strictly followed as it was in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal or Maharashtra. I don't think that 'kamina' has come from 'kamin'. Hence, there is no question of kamina being a casteist slur.”

Karl Jettmar, another historian, writes in his book 'Bilor and Dardistan', saying: “Kamin is the term for a low caste of tenants and craftsmen in Punjab and in the corner between the River Kabul and the River Swat.”

Grewal feels that Dr Ambedkar may have misunderstood the word. Prakash Ambedkar, his grandson and an ex-MP, echoes Grewal's sentiments, saying: “Ï don't think Kamina is a casteist slur. There must be some confusion. I need to have a look at that letter.”