The Hindu : National : Casteist row over mid-day meals

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Nov 19, 2004

National

National

Casteist row over mid-day meals

By Malabika Bhattacharya

KOLKATA, NOV. 18. The casteist attitude of Brahmin students of the Birbhanpur primary school in Bankura district has shocked many in Bengal, especially the ruling Communists. It came to light a few days ago that these students have for a month been refusing to take mid-day meals prepared by cooks belonging to a lower caste.

The controversy has raised eyebrows in the State, known to be relatively free of caste prejudices.

" The BJP's Hindutva ideology seems to be widening the differences among sections of society," Biman Bose, CPI (M) Polit Bureau member and chairman of the State's ruling Left Front said.

Mr. Bose said that the incident was surprising in that it could take place in a State like Bengal.

Besides, Brahmins should not treat Bagdis and Bauris as untouchables as they were dependent on the lower castes to a great extent, he added.

"We cannot imagine that something like this is happening in the 21st century. The parents who are forcing their children to treat the lower castes as untouchables are doing irreparable damage to the lives of their offspring," he said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National