Bhopal- A case of caste-based discrimination against a single mother from the Scheduled Caste community and her daughter at Jabalpur's Pratibha Sthali Gyanodaya Vidyalaya has compelled the Madhya Pradesh State Scheduled Caste Commission to take strict action. The Commission, taking cognizance of this serious matter, has directed the Assistant Commissioner of Jabalpur's Tribal Affairs Department to submit an investigation report within 15 days. Additionally, it has been instructed that if the school has violated the Right to Education Act, 2009, or Article 21(A) of the Constitution, legal action should be taken against the culprits.

The case came to light last year when The Mooknayak published a detailed report on the issue. The report highlighted that Sunita Arya, a resident of Jabalpur from the Scheduled Caste community, had applied for her daughter's admission to Class 4 at Pratibha Sthali Vidyalaya.

However, the school administration not only denied her admission but also subjected her to humiliating behavior, using casteist slurs. The discrimination occurred solely because she was Dalit, and her daughter was born out of a live-in relationship with a man from the Jain (General) community.

Sunita Arya alleges that the school administration viewed her negatively based on her caste identity and used derogatory terms like Ahirwar and Chamar during conversations. Additionally, the school questioned her daughter's familial status, citing that Sunita was a single mother.

Despite submitting a DNA test report proving her daughter’s biological relation to her and her partner, Manish Jain (a Jain), the school refused admission.

In an interview with The Mooknayak, Sunita Arya stated that the school rejected her application, claiming her daughter's family background was unclear. She emphasized that even after providing DNA evidence, she faced caste-based humiliation. The school staff allegedly referred to her using casteist slurs like Ahirwar and Chamar.

Sunita further accused the school administration of mental harassment and discriminatory behavior. She submitted WhatsApp chat screenshots and other documents to the Commission, containing evidence of casteist remarks by the school.

Rejecting the initial inquiry report, Sunita alleged that facts were concealed and conclusions were fabricated.

Given the gravity of the case, the Commission warned that if a response is not received within the stipulated 15 days, it will take suo moto action using its civil court-like powers.

Seema Soni, Secretary of the State Scheduled Caste Commission, stated that the Commission views this as a violation of constitutional rights. If proven guilty, the school management could face action under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.