The centre was shut as several families refused to send their children after the Dalit helper, Sharmistha Sethi, was recruited as the helper to prepare food.
The controversial Odisha anganwadi centre, which remained shut after protests erupted over the appointment of a Dalit anganwadi helper, finally resumed operations after the local administration stepped in. The district administration intensified its efforts with the state’s Women’s Commission member Kalpana Mallick, Sub-Collector Arun Nayak, and a local police officer visiting door-to-door and holding meetings with several individuals to do away with their caste prejudices.
In addition to this, a pala (folk celebration) was organised in the village where the artists performed and spread a message against caste-based discrimination through songs and dance performances.
The collective effort soon bore fruit as several villagers who earlier protested and decided not to send their children to the anganwadi centre agreed to send their children from Monday. The district administration confirmed that the issue has been resolved.
The controversy erupted three months ago when the anganwadi centre announced the appointment of the Dalit woman as the anganwadi helper who would help to cook food that was supposed to be consumed by the children. The post was vacant for several months as no one applied until Sharmistha Sethi, a graduate from the local SC community, applied and got the job as the only applicant.
As soon as the announcement surfaced, some families started protesting as the parents refused to send their kids to the anganwadi centre. They reportedly said that their children could not eat food prepared by the lady. Despite multiple appeals from the state administration, the families remained firm in their position.
