Caste Prejudice Forces Closure of Anganwadi Centre in Rural Odisha
In a disturbing incident highlighting persistent caste-based discrimination in rural India, an anganwadi centre in Odisha's Kendrapada district has remained shut for nearly three months. The closure stems from upper-caste parents refusing to send their children after authorities appointed an educated dalit woman as the helper-cum-cook.
Graduate Faces Social Boycott Over Caste Identity
Twenty-three-year-old Sarmista Sethi, a graduate, was appointed as an anganwadi helper at the Nuagaon centre under Ghadiamala gram panchayat in Rajnagar block approximately four months ago. Her appointment on November 24, 2025, triggered immediate resistance from the village committee, predominantly comprising upper-caste members.
"Some upper-caste villagers warned me not to cook for the kids," revealed Sarmista. "When I refused to obey, they stopped sending their children to the centre. Even the women have stopped coming."
The village committee head reportedly instructed all families—including the seven dalit households among the village's 45 families—not to send children to the centre. Parents openly told anganwadi worker Lizarani Pandav, an upper-caste woman, that their children would not consume food prepared by a dalit woman.
Administrative Efforts Fail to Break Deadlock
Approximately 60 children's nutritional and educational needs hang in balance as officials struggle to resolve the impasse. Sailendra Mishra, sarpanch of Ghadiamala panchayat, expressed concern about broader health impacts.
"Pregnant women have also been avoiding the centre and losing out on crucial health benefits," Mishra stated, noting that despite urging the village head and others, compliance hasn't been achieved.
Chief Development Project Officer (CDPO) of Rajnagar block, Dipali Mishra, confirmed that many upper-caste parents oppose their children eating food cooked by a dalit woman. "We have been trying to convince them. Me, along with the Rajnagar tehsildar, held discussions with villagers on Tuesday, but the issue remains unresolved," she explained.
Legal and Social Ramifications
Dalit leaders visiting the village criticized administrative inaction against those preventing access to the anganwadi centre. Nagen Jena, district president of Dalit Samaj, cited the Supreme Court's interim order dated April 20, 2004, in PUCL vs Government of India, which prioritizes SC/ST candidates as cooks in midday meal schemes.
Kendrapada district collector Raghuram R Iyer has directed the district social welfare officer to submit a detailed report. "Action will be taken against those who barred children and others from attending the centre on the pretext of a dalit girl's appointment. We are also trying to resolve the matter amicably," the collector assured.
This incident underscores deep-seated caste prejudices that continue to undermine social welfare programs and constitutional rights in parts of rural India, despite legal protections and progressive policies aimed at inclusion and equality.
