Bhubaneswar: In yet another shocking incident of alleged caste-based discrimination at an Anganwadi centre, a serious complaint has emerged from Dewanpali Anganwadi Centre under Jharabandh block in Bargarh district.
According to the complaint, Padmini Jagat, a woman belonging to the Dalit community, was appointed as a cook (Pachika) at the centre after a village meeting decided on a candidate following the publication of a recruitment notice.
She has been working at the centre for the past two months. Padmini has alleged that some villagers are discriminating against her on the basis of her caste. She claimed the villagers are persuading Anganwadi students not to eat food cooked by her, eggs and chhatua (a nutritional supplement). Besides, they are campaigning among parents not to send their children to the Anganwadi centre. She has also accused them of pressuring her to resign from her post.
Her father, Abadhuta Jagat, has alleged that he too is being harassed and pressured to force his daughter to quit. The situation escalated on Wednesday when some villagers allegedly locked the Anganwadi centre, disrupting its functioning. As a result, children, pregnant women and lactating mothers were deprived of nutritional food and other essential services.
The incident has sparked strong resentment in the local area.
When contacted, Jharbandh CDPO said that the Anganwadi worker has submitted a written complaint. He assured that an inquiry will be conducted and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings.
This incident comes at a time when a similar case of alleged caste discrimination at an Anganwadi centre in Balangir district is already under public scrutiny.
