The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Students reject food prepared by Dalit women

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 09, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Students reject food prepared by Dalit women

By Our Staff reporter

KONTUR (MEDAK DT.), DEC. 8. The motherly instinct of two Dalit women -- Janamma and Sugunamma - has been deeply hurt as schoolchildren belonging to certain castes and communities reject the mid-day meal they cook for the Government primary school here.

Out of 46 students who are supposed to stay for lunch, 38 students leave the school without touching the food. Only 14 Dalit students eat here.

The two women of the Krupa DWCRA group, who have spent around Rs. 1,500 to buy utensils and other food items, are in tears.

"This boycott has been going on since November. We have complained to teachers and revenue officials, but there is no change in the situation," the women told The Hindu .

"I don't see any difference between schoolchildren and my children. The affection and the way of cooking is the same," Janamma said in a choked voice.

Trouble began in November when the new DWCRA group was given the responsibility of cooking food for the children.

The two women faced trouble right from the beginning, as they were not even given utensils that were used by the earlier DWCRA groups.

Bills not cleared

The authorities have not cleared their outstanding bills so far. As a result of the social boycott, the gas stove, cylinder and bags of rice are lying idle at the school kitchen.

Asked why they go home for lunch, the children say in one voice that their parents have told them not to eat as the food is cooked by low class women.

The Mandal Revenue Officer, Chandraiah, and the MPDO, Sravan Kumar, who have visited the school twice, say that their efforts to convince the parents have failed.

The officers say that the only option left is to take action against those parents who propagate untouchability.

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