“Tomorrow is Pranav's Birthday & I Can’t Even Afford a Cake for My Son”: Dalit Mother Speaks Out Amid Kerala School Caste Discrimination Row

Idukki – On the eve of her son Pranav’s 7th birthday, Priyanka Soman, the 36-year-old Dalit mother, finds herself struggling to fulfill her child’s simple wish for a birthday cake. Her life has been upended by a month-long fight for justice after her son was allegedly forced by his teacher to clean vomit in his classroom—a shocking act of discrimination that has cast a spotlight on systemic caste biases in Kerala’s schools.

“Pranav asked me for a cake,” Priyanka shared with The Mooknayak, her voice trembling with emotion. “I borrowed ₹1,000 from a friend to buy one, but today, I received a call from the Education department's Deputy Director office asking me to bring Pranav for his statement. Traveling between towns and arranging protests has drained everything we have. Now, I don’t even have money left for a cake or sweets for my son.”

Priyanka works as a data entry operator in a cooperative bank, earning a modest ₹12,000 per month. Her husband, Sijoy Jacob, is a mason, and the couple has two children. Their financial situation was already precarious, but the incident has pushed the family into deeper distress.

Priyanka shared that she was able to work for only 10 days in December, earning a daily wage of ₹400, which amounts to a meager ₹4,000. “I don’t know how we will manage our household expenses,” she said, her voice filled with despair. “Sometimes, it feels like justice is not meant for the underprivileged—it’s only for the influential and the powerful.”

“Protests, travel, and lost work hours have exhausted our savings. We have nothing left. My son is too small to understand why we can’t celebrate his birthday,” Priyanka said, breaking into tears.

Priyanka shared that she remains in constant guilt for placing a financial burden on her elderly mother, who sent her money to help arrange protests. “She sent me ₹3,000 and said, ‘Arrange for the protests, do whatever you can to fight for your child,’ but I know that money was meant for her medications. Now, she will have to forgo her medicines,” Priyanka said, breaking down as she spoke about the sacrifices her family is making for justice.

Despite the overwhelming challenges, she has been actively organizing protests and reaching out to rights groups to bring attention to her case. Dalit rights activists have rallied behind her, but systemic apathy persists.

The Incident That Sparked Outrage

The ordeal began on November 13, 2024, when Pranav, a second grader at St. Benedict LP School, Sleevamala , was reportedly coerced by his teacher Maria Mathew to clean vomit in his classroom. When Priyanka learned about the incident a week later, she filed a police complaint, leading to the registration of an FIR. However, over a month has passed, and no action has been taken against the accused.

The school management admitted that children were made to clean classrooms but has refused to apologize or hold the teacher accountable. Meanwhile, Priyanka alleges that the investigation is being intentionally delayed.

"I had a word with the investigation officer. He says they have found no evidence because other children in Pranav’s class said they all cleaned the mess together. But how can small children not be influenced by the school management?” Priyanka questioned.

Priyanka also revealed that the accused teacher has claimed ignorance about Pranav’s Dalit identity as a defense. “This is a sheer lie,” she asserted. “They are trying to cover up their discriminatory practices and escape accountability. The truth is, no child—Dalit or otherwise—should ever be forced to clean such messes in school. This isn’t just about caste; it’s about basic human dignity.”

Adding to her frustration, Priyanka pointed out a lack of impartiality in the investigation process. “I requested a counselor for my son, but the police arranged someone who shares the same faith (Christian) as the school management. How can I expect a fair report from them?” Upon her request, the police also arranged for the videography of statement recording procedure, she said.

The incident gained national attention after The Mooknayak published a series of investigative reports exposing the school management’s negligence and the police’s lack of urgency. Protests organized by Dalit groups have drawn attention to the discrimination faced by marginalized students in Kerala.

Yet, Priyanka feels no closer to justice. “The system is designed to wear us down. They think we will give up if they delay long enough, but I won’t,” she said.