In the latest case of caste-related controversy in Orissa, over a dozen of dalit students have allegedly left a government-run upper primary school for good. The students dropped out to register their protest against the removal of a dalit cook by the school management.
According to reports, 14 dalit students at Gahirapala Project upper primary school under Dasarathapur block in Jajpur district availed school leaving certificate (SLC) under parental guidance after the cook Janaki Jena was removed under pressure from upper caste students and their parents.
Janaki was immediately replaced by an upper caste cook.
Narahari Jena, guardian of dalit student, alleged that the head master and other teachers of the school segregated the upper caste and dalit students into two groups to serve mid-day meal in two rows.
“This was strongly protested by guardians of dalit students. We condemned discrimination on the ground of caste,” he said. “Three teachers had been misbehaving us on caste ground. They segregated us from other upper caste students. Majority of the teachers never touch us and always brand us as untouchables,” said a Class 5 dalit student.
Hrusikesh Jena, a guardian of a student, also stated that some teachers of the school often abused dalit students for which many dalit students were not going to the school.
Dalit children were also singled out in school and forced to sweep and mop classrooms and clean bathrooms.
“When contacted, Laxman Murmu, the headmaster of the school, said, “We have been told that 14 dalit students have left the school and obtained their school leaving certificates. I have directed the School Inspector and Welfare Extension Officer (WEO) to conduct an inquiry about the matter .After getting the report , the authority will take proper action against the culprits.”