Kerala School Caste Discrimination: Protests Erupt in Idukki Over Dalit Boy's Humiliation, Community Demands Justice

Idukki- The town witnessed widespread protests on Sunday as Bahujan organizations, including the Bhim Army, Bahujan Samaj Party, and the Cherama Sambava Development Society (CSDS), organized a mashaal rally from Vattakanipara to Kuthungal town. They condemned the caste-based discrimination and exploitation of a six-year-old Dalit boy, Pranav Sijoy, at St. Benedict's L.P. School in Sleevamala. The protesters raised slogans demanding stringent action against the school authorities, particularly the teacher involved in the incident, Maria.

The marchers highlighted the injustice faced by Pranav, who was allegedly coerced into cleaning a classmate’s vomit by his teacher on November 13, a task forced upon him because of his caste identity. Carrying torches and banners, the demonstrators called the incident a disgrace to the education system and society, asserting that the boy's trauma and the continued inaction of the authorities represent a clear violation of child rights.

The boy’s mother, Priyanka Soman, expressed her anguish to The Mooknayak, recounting the horrifying sequence of events. Priyanka, a data entry operator in a cooperative bank, alleged that despite filing multiple complaints with the Child Line, the education department, the District Magistrate, and the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP), no substantial action had been taken even a month, though the FIR has been lodged.

“My son was traumatized and refused to go back to school after the incident,” she said, breaking into tears. “I was forced to withdraw him from St. Benedict’s and enroll him in a government school to protect him from further harm.”

The mother described the school management’s attempts to manipulate the narrative. “The management is accusing me of staging a drama for money. They are claiming that I am making these allegations because of a financial dispute, which is completely false,” Priyanka stated.

Addressing the allegations, Priyanka explained that as part of her job, she had helped the headmistress and two teachers, including Maria, open Recurring Deposit (RD) accounts in her bank. The teachers regularly paid Rs. 1,000 each month via GPay, which Priyanka deposited in their accounts, providing them with receipts. “Now the school management is twisting facts, telling the police that I demanded additional money from them. I am shocked by their baseless claims,” she said.

Despite the filing of an FIR weeks ago, Priyanka lamented that no significant progress had been made in the investigation. She accused the police of deliberately stalling the case to protect the school management.

“The children’s statements confirm that they were asked to clean the vomit, which violates the Juvenile Justice Act,” Priyanka said. “Yet the authorities are downplaying the caste angle and the exploitation of child rights. This apathy has emboldened the wrongdoers.”

The Bahujan organizations participating in the rally also criticized the systemic neglect in addressing caste discrimination and child rights violations. “It is shameful that a six-year-old child was humiliated in such a degrading manner, and yet the management and authorities are more concerned about protecting the perpetrators than delivering justice,” said a spokesperson from the Bhim Army.

The protesters demanded the immediate suspension of teacher Maria, legal action against the school management, and the intervention of higher authorities to ensure justice for Pranav.

Amidst the growing uproar, Priyanka has written to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), seeking their intervention. “I want justice for my son. This is not just about caste; this is about every child’s right to dignity and safety,” she said.