A strong resentment has emerged among labour organisations in Punjab over the alleged use of an objectionable casteist term in the online proforma issued by the government for Census 2026.The controversy revolves around a column in the form meant for recording caste details, where a term considered derogatory and offensive toward the Scheduled Castes is allegedly included.Condemning this, several organisations representing rural and farm workers have demanded immediate correction of the proforma and legal action against the responsible senior officials.A joint meeting of groups, including the Dehati Mazdoor Sabha, Mazdoor Mukti Morcha and Punjab Khet Mazdoor Sabha, was held at Teachers’ Home in Bathinda on Tuesday.During the meeting, the leaders strongly criticised the inclusion of such language in official documents, calling it evidence of deep-rooted caste bias within sections of the bureaucracy and political leadership.They said the term is basically used nowadays not to denote a caste but to intentionally insult and humiliate someone.Prominent labour leaders, including Lachhman Singh Sewewala, Prakash Singh Nandgarh, Mithu Singh Ghudda and Amir Lal, expressed concern that even ministers and MLAs from Scheduled Caste communities have not raised objections to the issue.They alleged that some leaders, after gaining power, have failed to represent the interests of their communities.They also held both the Centre and state governments equally responsible for allowing such terminology in official records.They warned that if the government does not withdraw the online form and initiate strict action against those responsible, the organisations will be compelled to launch a protest movement.