Lucknow:
Another shameful incident has brought the caste inequalities in an otherwise modern India to the fore. Parents rioted outside a school in Uttar Pradesh after discovering that the cook who prepared food for their children under the mid-day meal scheme was a Dalit.
The Government middle school in the newly created Ramabai Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh has 191 students, nearly half of them who belong to so-called upper castes refused to eat food cooked in school.
Shanti, the Dalit cook was hired by the school 3-4 days ago. When children found out she was a Dalit, they complained to their parents.
Furious parents came out to ensure the school does not forget the age-old caste divisions. Fearing trouble, the school principal fled from the spot.
"These children will go out to study in other schools like even if they get food there or not, but they will not study here," said Biru Dubey, an angry villager.
Villagers have even forced the district administration to toe their line and attacked the police jeeps with stones.
"We have not received many application forms that is why we are giving them 3 more days. If there are any more women who want to apply, they can send in their applications," said Govind Raju, District Magistrate, Ramabai Nagar.
In Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, Dalits comprise over 20% of the population and it's shameful that such an incident has occurred in a state ruled by a Dalit chief minister.