Madhya Pradesh School Mid-Day Meal Scandal Highlights Inequality and Untouchability

Chattarpur— A shocking instance of untouchability has come to light in a school in the Bandaur village of Chattarpur district in Madhya Pradesh. Students studying in the school have claimed that they face discrimination in the mid-day meal served at the school. They allege that the rotis are not placed in the thalis but instead thrown in the plate, and that the food is of poor quality.

The students, who are mostly from the Dalit community, state that they are subjected to such treatment by the women who cook the food. The school has two cooks, one each from Other Backward Category (OBC) and General Category, named as Premwati Sen and Janki Goswami. The students feel that they are being subjected to such behavior simply because of their community background.

According to a Dalit student studying in 5th grade in school, the food is given from a distance and that too in a disrespectful manner. It is not kept in a plate, but thrown. The student says he is just a child, but the way he is treated is clearly understandable. Another Dalit student studying in the same school says that the food served in the school is not good and the food is served in an inappropriate way. The students said they feel sad on being treated this way, however, they don't understand the reason for this inferior treatment.

The seriousness of the issue was acknowledged by the school principal Mathura Prasad Kaundar, himself, who told the local media that the students’ allegations are not false. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, R.P. Lakhera, said that the issue will be thoroughly probed and strict action will be taken if the students’ allegations are found to be true. Meanwhile, after inspection, the contract of the group has been revoked by the concerning authorities.