Scheduled Caste woman allegedly prevented from preparing food for schoolchildren in Karur district

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A Scheduled Caste woman, who serves as a temporary cook under the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme at the Panchayat Union Middle School in Chinnareddiyapatti of Karur district, was allegedly prevented from doing her job.

In a complaint lodged with the Karur Collector, the cook, R. Nirosha, 35, of Ponnampatti, alleged that she was prevented from cooking when she went to work on December 16.

Ms. Nirosha alleged that the headmistress had told her that caste-Hindu students were reluctant to eat breakfast cooked by her. Citing this, the headmistress insisted that she quit, failing which, she would be removed from the job.

The headmistress also said the number of children attending the school had reduced since her appointment around four months ago, she alleged.

When Ms. Nirosha went to the school the next day, she found that a new cook had been appointed.

She then took up the issue with Sathya, Branch Manager of Mahalir Thittam in Thogamalai. However, she refused to entertain her plea.

“The caste discrimination really hurts me. I have been undergoing mental agony ever since I was asked not to cook for the children,” Ms. Nirosha told The Hindu.

She said though she had submitted petitions to senior officials, including the Collector, she had not received any relief.Following this, she lodged a complaint with the Thogamalai police station.

Subsequently, a First Information Report was registered against Banumathi, headmistress of the school, and Sathya, under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, according to sources.

When contacted, a senior official of the Mahalir Thittam said that caste-Hindu students had refused to eat the food prepared by Ms. Nirosha. The school authorities, who feared losing their students, had apprised her of this.

She was not removed from the job. Action had been taken to ensure that she resumes duty once the school reopens after the half-yearly holidays, the official alleged.