Ever since Shakespeare made Mark Antony repeat the phrase "And Brutus is an honourable man" in Julius Caesar, the word 'honourable' has acquired a connotation that conflicts with its actual meaning.

But the word's Malayalam counterpart, 'bahumanapetta', has not been shaded by such literary illumination. It means what it means. This is why Palakkad-based human rights activist Boban Mattumantha had petitioned the Kerala government to ban the use of the word 'bahumanapetta' in all official correspondence. 

Two years ago, on July 23, 2023, Boban wrote to the then chief secretary Dr V Venu, his letter beginning with a rhetorical flourish. "Are ministers and high-ranking officers honourable people, worthy of respect?"

He said the use of 'bahumanapetta' has stuck with us like an "ugly habit". "It is found everywhere, in official correspondence, on government notices and foundation stones. In a land where the Constitution guarantees equality, the usage has created two sets of citizens: the honourable and the dishonourable." He termed the use of the word "undemocratic".

On January 16 this year, Boban received a reply from the General Administration (Protocol) Department. "Since words that denote respect are used to address the rank of a person and not the individual and also because such qualifications are part of basic courtesy in a democracy, the government does not feel the necessity to ban the use of the word," it said.

Internal debate
Government file notings show that this reply was the result of protracted consultations within the government. After the file was put up for orders on August 5, 2023, one of the first notings was by Sunil Kumar B, additional secretary and state protocol officer.

"Even though the government has not mandated the use of the word 'bahumanapetta' while addressing the Chief Minister, ministers, MPs and MLAs, such honorifics are suggestive of respect and culture. It is not advisable for the government to insist on banning them," the additional secretary said.

Boban's contention, on the other hand, was that the word 'bahumanapetta' is a constant reminder that people's representatives and officials are to be compulsorily honoured and respected. "It brings back memories of the monarchy," Boban had said.

When the file with the AS's notings came to him, the Chief Secretary felt that the AS had missed the point. "The issue is not about how a person should be addressed. It is about the use of the word 'bahumanapetta' in official correspondence, notices and foundation stones. Reconsider the issue," Dr Venu said, returning the file.

The issue was then forwarded to the Law Department. On January 30, 2024, law secretary Sanal Kumar noted on the file that there was no legal bar on making the use of the word 'bahumanapetta' mandatory for "important positions". Meaning, the government, if it thinks fit, can make the use of the word mandatory for top guns. 

"For other officers and citizens, the traditional way of addressing a person, 'shree/shreeman/shreemathy', can be used," the law secretary said.

Is respect undemocratic?
The chief secretary felt that the Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department (P&ARD) should also weigh in on the issue. On January 7, 2025, the P&ARD rejected Boban's contentions, though it did not take a cue from the law secretary and recommend the mandatory use of the word to address VIPs. 

"It does not become undemocratic just because the word 'bahumanapetta' is used before the name of a person," the P&ARD joint secretary noted. The JS gave the example of a government school inviting a former teacher to attend the annual function. "If the school appends the honorific 'bahumanapetta' before the name of the former teacher, it is not appropriate for the government to say that the usage has been prohibited," the P&ARD JS said, and this clinched the debate.

Rapid fire
Disappointed, Boban immediately shot off a set of questions to the General Administration (Protocol) Department. He received his answers on March 15 this year.

Q. Is there a law that stipulates penal action for a citizen who does not address people in high positions in honourable-sounding words? 

A. We are not aware of the existence of any such law.

Q. Does the Constitution bestow any extra right or benefit on a people's representative that an ordinary citizen does not enjoy? 

A. None

Q. What does it mean to be a people's representative? Public servant or master?

A. Servant.

Q. Who is more entitled to the term 'bahumanapetta'? The citizen or the representative chosen to serve the citizen?

A. Since it is basic courtesy, both can use the term.

Q. You say it is part of basic courtesy in a democracy. Has it ever come to your notice that the print and the visual media, considered the fourth pillar in a democracy, never use 'bahumanapetta' to address any of the people holding top posts? 

A. No.

Q. It was said that addressing the CM, ministers and high-ranking officials as 'bahumanapetta' signifies respect and civilised behaviour. But the government does not use the word when it officially corresponds with the ordinary citizen. Does it mean that the government lacks respect and civility?

A. No.