The Hindi phrase ‘gorakh dhanda’ (loosely translated into ‘unethical practices’) is banned in Haryana. This has been done to ensure that the feelings of Guru Gorkahnath’s followers are not hurt, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced on Wednesday.

“Using this word in any official language, speech, or in any context hurts sentiments of followers of Guru Gorakhnath. Use of this word in whatsoever context has been completely banned,” Khattar said, according to ANI.

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The decision to ban ‘gorakh dhanda’ was taken following a request by a delegation representing the Gorakhnath community. The representatives  of the community had met Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar earlier in the day.

Guru Gorakhnath, an 11th century yogi, is considered to be the founder of the Nath monastic movement. The Gorakhnath Math and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh are named after him. Gorakhnath is revered mostly in rural India, with monasteries and temples dedicated to him.

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“The delegation representing the Gorakhnath community met the CM and urged him to ban the use of the expression, saying it hurts the sentiments of followers of Gorakhnath. Accepting their request, the CM said that as Guru Gorakhnath was a saint, using this word in any official language, speech, or in any context hurts the sentiments of his followers,” a government spokesperson said.

Earlier, there have been demands seeking a ban on the word from Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh too. The Gorakhnath community wants the use of the word banned all over the country.

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In fact, the word had made it to the BJP poll manifesto in Rajasthan in 2018. In the manifesto released by central leaders and then Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, the BJP said a law will be made to ban and punish those using the word ‘gorakh dhandha’ 

“Guru Gorakhnath was a saint and using this word hurts the sentiments of followers, therefore, this will be banned,” a leader had said.