Champawat ( Uttrakhand): Amid controversy over the termination of a Scheduled Caste woman as a cook at a school in Champawat district, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on Saturday that the students have refused to eat the food prepared by the woman. The Chief Minister also said that the students of the government school are bringing food from home.
The Education Department has started a probe into the matter. During the investigation, it was found that first a upper-caste woman Pushpa Bhatt was appointed for the post called 'Bhojan Mata' (cook) by the School Management Committee and the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA).
However, later a Scheduled Caste woman Sunita Devi was hired for the job. Soon after, she was appointed to cook mid-day meals at the school, upper-caste students of the school refused to eat food cooked by her. They said that their parents asked them not to eat food cooked by her. The PTA president Naresh Joshi and other parents also opposed her appointment.
The Chief Education Officer of Champawat, who is investigating the matter, said that after hearing both sides and examining the records, the appointment of Bhojan Mata has been found to be illegal. He also said that the appointment has been cancelled adding that soon a fresh notification will be issued and the appointment of Bhojan Mata will be done.
Sukhidhang Sub-Collector Himanshu Kafaltia said that "the district administration has decided to launch an awareness campaign. So that the evil practices can be eradicated by taking the local rural people into confidence."
Contrast to it, another incident in the same school has come to light on Friday where students belonging to the SC community refused to eat food prepared by a upper caste woman. According to sources, Principal of the school, Prem Singh in a letter to education officers stated that on Friday, a total of 58 children of classes VI to VIII reached the school. The principal further stated that when the children were called for mid-day meal, those belonging to the SC community refused to eat the food prepared by a upper caste woman.
However, Kumaon DIG Nilesh Anand Bharane reached the spot today and spoke to both sides. He told ETV Bharat that the entire episode has been investigated by him. He said that misunderstandings have been cleared by talking to both sides.
